By Steve Okechukwu
Israel has announced an expansion of its military campaign in Gaza, with plans to seize more territory in what Palestinian officials describe as an escalation of its war on the enclave.
Defence Minister Israel Katz
said the offensive aims to "clear areas" and capture land to be added
to Israel’s "security zones." He confirmed the operation would
involve mass evacuations of Palestinians from targeted areas.
In recent days, the Israeli
military has issued evacuation orders for parts of northern and southern Gaza,
worsening already dire humanitarian conditions.
Israel resumed airstrikes on 18
March, breaking a January ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.
Since then, Palestinian health officials report over 1,000 killed and 2,000
injured.
Aid agencies warn of
catastrophic shortages after Israel closed Gaza’s crossings in early March,
blocking essential supplies.
The death toll since October
2023 now exceeds 50,300, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health
Ministry.
The International Criminal
Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war
crimes. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice
(ICJ).
The UN has repeatedly called
for a ceasefire, warning of famine and mass displacement.
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