Israeli Defense Minister Katz has ordered the IDF to capture more territory in Gaza while Hamas continues to refuse to release hostages. Earlier this week, IDF resumes war 33 hostages were released after nearly two months of ceasefire in Gaza.
“If the terrorist group Hamas continues to refuse to release the hostages, I have instructed the IDF to benefit from the expansion of the security zone around Gaza by evacuating the population while also evacuating the population and protecting the Israeli community and IDF soldiers by controlling the territory of Israeli Israel,” Kates said in a statement. “As Hamas continues to refuse, it will lose more and more territory and will annex to Israel.”
If Israel follows Katz’s partial annexation threat, it would be the biggest shift in the status quo in Gaza in nearly 20 years. In 2005, Israel evacuated Gaza and even sent an IDF to bring the Israelis out of their homes. A year later, Hamas took over and has ruled the striptease ever since.
After the ceasefire collapsed, the IDF re-entered the Gaza Strip. (IDF)
Hamas launches attack on Israel since Ceasefire collapses
Kaz also said Israel will continue to operate with increased intensity “power and sword” until Hamas releases the hostages. Furthermore, he affirmed Israel’s compliance with the proposal made by the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, which involved the inclusion of all hostages and all dead hostages into Gaza into two phases.
The Trump administration is represented by Israel’s military ruling. This is a very different approach taken by the Biden administration, which supports Israel militarily and diplomatically, but also puts pressure on the country to limit casualties of civilians in Gaza.
Netanyahu conducted a security assessment in Kirya, Tel Aviv, with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF head Eyal Zamir. (Prime Minister of Israel)
Israeli officials thank the Trump administration as the country resumes war in Gaza
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday Donald Trump “Full support the Israeli and the IDF to take actions taken in recent years.” The president had previously warned Hamas that if the hostages were not released, there would be “hell”.
“Hamas could have released the hostages to expand the ceasefire, but chose the war,” NSC spokesman James Hewitt said Thursday. “These terrorists are fully responsible for this conflict and the resumption of hostilities.
Palestinians continue to return to Beit Lahia, a city in northern Northern Gaza, which suffered damage from Israeli attacks on March 8, 2025 in the rubble and damaged buildings of Beit Lahia in Gaza. (Khalil Ramzi Alkahlut/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Israel is also suffering internal turmoil in the war against Gaza. On Friday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuThe office announced that the head of Shin Bet of the Israeli version of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has passed. The current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar will hold the position until April 10, but that may change depending on when he will be replaced.
Netanyahu claims he does not trust lawyers, his spokesperson statement Quote by Axios. In a letter from Shin Bet, the attorney dismissed the claim and said his shooting motive was unfounded. On Friday, the Israeli Supreme Court issued an interim injunction to prevent lawyers from dismissing it, which will continue until the court can hear a petition for the dismissal.
