Israel threatens to expand Gaza offensive if Hamas doesn’t release hostages

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned that Israel will seize more territory in Gaza and continue fighting until Hamas is completely defeated if the Palestinian militant group refuses to release remaining hostages.

The statement came as mediators attempted to resurrect the Gaza ceasefire agreement that collapsed when Israel resumed its air and ground campaign on 18 March, after both sides failed to agree on terms to extend the two-month truce.

Israel has repeatedly stated it will no longer accept Hamas maintaining governance or military capabilities in Gaza following the militants’ 7 October 2023 cross-border attack that triggered the conflict.

Last week, the Israeli military announced its forces had begun targeted ground operations in central and southern Gaza after resuming bombardments in the besieged territory, resulting in hundreds of Palestinian casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the objective of the renewed campaign is to pressure the Islamist militants to free the remaining hostages.

“If Hamas continues with its intransigence, it will pay heavy prices that get higher and higher in the taking of territory and in taking out militants and terror infrastructure until its complete surrender,” Katz said in a video reported by Israeli media.

The latest offensive has been among the deadliest since the conflict began 17 months ago, rupturing a fragile ceasefire that had largely held since it took effect on 19 January.

Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive, from the more than 250 people seized during its 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Most others have been released, or their bodies returned, through negotiated exchanges.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​