Defense Minister Katz threatens to annex part of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas releases hostages

Defense Minister Israel Katz threatens to annex areas of the Gaza Strip to Israel if Hamas refuses to release the hostages it is still holding.

Katz says he has instructed the IDF to seize additional areas of the Gaza Strip while issuing evacuation orders for Palestinian civilians in those areas.

In a statement, Katz says: “If the Hamas terror organization continues to refuse to release the hostages, I instructed the IDF to capture additional areas, evacuate the population, and expand the security zone around Gaza for the protection of Israeli communities and IDF soldiers, through a permanent hold of the area by Israel.”

“As long as Hamas continues its refusal, it will lose more and more land that will be added to Israel,” Katz says.

Katz says Israel will “intensify” its military campaign against Hamas, including “through the expansion of the ground maneuver until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated.”

He adds that Israel will use “all military and civilian pressure, including evacuation of the Gaza population south and implementing US President Trump’s voluntary migration plan for Gaza residents.”