Israeli Minister Vows to Annex Gaza Territories

Following the resumption of assaults on the Gaza Strip, Israel’s defense minister stated that should Hamas fail to free the captives, Israel would progressively seize additional portions of Palestinian land, incorporating them into Israeli territory.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will move to annex portions of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas releases all remaining Israeli hostages currently being held in the area. This announcement was made as Israeli military operations in Gaza intensified starting on Tuesday.

“I have instructed the IDF to take control of additional areas in Gaza,” Katz stated. “Should Hamas persist in refusing to free the captives, they will continue to forfeit territory, which will then become part of Israel.”

On Friday, the Israeli military persisted with its assaults on Gaza after terminating an approximately two-month truce earlier in the week.

The health officials in Gaza controlled by Hamas reported on Thursday that since the conflict restarted, the death toll has reached 504 individuals.

On October 7, 2023, during the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other militants, approximately 1,200 individuals were killed, with an additional 251 taken as hostages. As of now, 59 of these captives remain under the control of Hamas and other Palestinian militant organizations. According to Israeli officials, they estimate that around 24 of those still held captive are likely still alive.

'Catastrophic' conditions in Gaza

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, an Australian physician operating in Gaza, informed DJOGDJA NEWS that the medical situation in the region is "dire" following the resumption of combat operations.

He stated that we have almost no medicines remaining. Similarly, our supply of antibiotics has been depleted. We severely lack resources, including medical equipment and even fundamental items such as blood pressure monitors, tracking patients' oxygen levels, and supplying oxygen cylinders.

Mustafa also mentioned that the present lack of fuel in Gaza has made it difficult for medical teams to transport patients between hospitals, leading to some individuals not receiving necessary care and consequently dying from their injuries.

Ex-hostages demand halt to Israeli military operation

Forty survivors of Hamas captivity and 250 family members of hostages signed a letter calling on Netanyahu's government to halt Israel's military operations and return to negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages.

The letter was penned with blood and tears. It was composed by our friends and family members whose loved ones lost their lives in captivity, and they are pleading: ‘End the conflict. Go back to the negotiation table and finalize an accord that ensures the release of all hostages, even if it means concluding the war,’" the message stated, emphasizing that military pressure jeopardized the safety of the remaining captives.

"The Israeli government is opting for perpetual conflict instead of attempting to rescue and release hostages, effectively condemning them to death. Such a policy is criminal. You do not have permission to sacrifice these 59 hostages," the letter stated.

Germany, France, UK urge return to ceasefire

On Friday night, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom released a collective statement urging for an "urgent reinstatement of a ceasefire."

The foreign ministers of the three European nations — known as the E3 — said they "are appalled by the civilian casualties", calling this week's resumption of Israeli airstrikes "a dramatic step backward for the people of Gaza, the hostages, their families and the entire region."

"The statement urged Israel to reinstate humanitarian access, covering essentials like water and electricity, and to guarantee pathways for medical care and provisional medical evacuations in line with international humanitarian law," it read.

The ministers likewise called upon Hamas to liberate the hostages "whom they have brutally detained and consistently decline to set free."

The statement further noted that military means would not resolve the conflict, emphasizing that a prolonged truce is the sole path to achieving lasting peace.

The foreign ministers of the E3 countries likewise expressed their deep shock over the event that occurred on Wednesday at a UNOPS facility in Gaza. This incident resulted in the death of one UN employee and injuries to multiple others, prompting them to demand a comprehensive inquiry.

Hamas is 'examining' the U.S. proposal for a truce.

Following the order to resume combat operations in Gaza earlier this week, Netanyahu stated that discussions for the subsequent phase of a truce would proceed amidst ongoing hostilities.

The Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which has been labeled as a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S., the European Union, among others, mentioned that they were examining a proposal put forward by the American administration aimed at reinstating the truce between Hamas and Israel.

The latest proposal from US special envoy Steve Witkoff, referred to as a "bridging" plan, seeks to prolong the truce until April. This extension would surpass the observances of Ramadan and Passover, providing additional time for both parties to work towards establishing a lasting ceasefire.

According to a Reuters news agency report, citing a Palestinian official, Egypt also made a bridging proposal, with Hamas not yet responding to it.

Israel aims to prolong the initial stage of a truce, following the provisions outlined in what’s referred to as the bridge plan. Conversely, Hamas remains steadfast in adhering to the agreement negotiated by Netanyahu back in January, an accord that mandated both parties to engage in discussions about the second phase at the start of February; however, Israel mostly declined this approach.

The second phase of the agreement reached in January involves freeing all remaining captives in return for an everlasting cessation of hostilities and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Netanyahu stated that Israel will remain in Gaza until Hamas is unable to regain control over the area.

Edited by: Sean Sinico and Alex Berry

Author: Karl Sexton, Felix Tamsut (along with AFP, dpa, Reuters contributions)