Israel will annex parts of Gaza until captives freed, says defence minister
The Israeli defence minister warned Hamas on Friday that the army will permanently seize and annex territory in Gaza if captives are not released.
Israel Katz announced that the army will also expand the buffer zone his country has established along the Gaza Strip's boundary with Israel.
“The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel,” he stressed.
“I have directed the IDF [military] to expand the manoeuvre, take control of more ground and hold it permanently to protect Israeli communities and soldiers.”
Annexation of occupied territory is illegal under international law.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The Israeli army has already began a ground invasion of areas in Gaza, moving into Beit Lahiya in the north as well as the Netzarim Corridor that bisects the Palestinian enclave.
Meanwhile, air strikes have struck across Gaza for a third day.
More than 500 Palestinians, including over 200 children, have been killed and more than 900 others wounded since Israel's war on Gaza resumed at dawn on Tuesday
Israel said it would no longer allow Palestinians to enter northern Gaza from the south, ordering residents to get away from the Salahuddin Road that runs down the enclave and to use the coastal road instead.
More than 49,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s war on Gaza, and 14,000 more people are missing and presumed dead, according to Gaza civil defence officials.
Israel’s actions in the besieged Palestinian enclave have led to accusations of genocide by leading UN bodies and human rights organisations.
It is currently on trial at the International Court of Justice, accused of breaching the Genocide Convention.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
