Israel will annex parts of Gaza until captives freed, says defence minister

The Israeli Defense Minister issued a warning to Hamas on Friday, stating that if the detained personnel are not released, Israeli forces will permanently occupy and annex territory in the Gaza Strip. This tough stance foreshadows a potential further escalation of the conflict, raising serious concerns about regional stability.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz announced that the Israeli army will also expand its buffer zone established along the Gaza Strip's border with Israel. He emphasized that the more Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, and this territory will be annexed to Israel. He has instructed the IDF to expand its operations, control more land, and permanently control this land to protect Israeli communities and soldiers.

Under international law, the annexation of occupied territory is illegal. Currently, Israeli forces have already begun a ground invasion of parts of the Gaza Strip, including entering Beit Lahia in the north and the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects the Palestinian enclave. Simultaneously, airstrikes have struck various parts of Gaza for the third consecutive day, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Since Israel resumed its war on Gaza in the early hours of Tuesday, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including over 200 children, and more than 900 others have been injured. Israel stated that it will no longer allow Palestinians to enter northern Gaza from the south and ordered residents to stay away from the Salah al-Din Road extending along the enclave, instead using the coastal road.

According to Gaza civil defense officials, more than 49,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war on Gaza, and more than 14,000 others are missing and presumed dead. Israel's actions in the besieged Palestinian enclave have led major UN agencies and human rights organizations to accuse it of committing genocide. Currently, Israel is on trial at the International Court of Justice, accused of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.