Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s predecessor, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening to annex parts of the Gaza Strip unless the militant group releases the remaining Israeli hostages in its captivity.¹ This bold move is part of Israel’s intensified efforts to secure the release of its citizens and exert pressure on Hamas. Katz emphasized that the more Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose to Israel.
Katz instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to seize additional areas in Gaza, evacuate the population, and expand the security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and IDF soldiers through permanent Israeli control of the territory. This statement confirms earlier reports that Israel was considering annexing parts of Gaza as a means of pressuring Hamas.
The defence minister’s threat has been met with criticism from some quarters, with Merav Michaeli, chairwoman of the Knesset subcommittee on IDF readiness, arguing that Katz’s threat would escalate the existing conflict, endanger the hostages, and strengthen Hamas. Despite this, Katz has reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to its military operation in Gaza, dubbed “Strength and Sword,” which aims to weaken Hamas’s military capabilities and secure the release of Israeli hostages.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with the IDF conducting ground operations in various parts of the territory, including the Netzarim Corridor and northern Gaza. The military has also eliminated several high-ranking Hamas operatives, including Rashid Jahjuh, head of the General Security Forces of Hamas, and Ayman Atsalih, head of the Khan Yunis sector within General Security Forces. As tensions continue to rise, the international community remains concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential for further escalation.
