Israeli PM threatens to seize territories in Gaza if hostages aren't freed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Wednesday to seize territories in Gaza if Hamas doesn't free the remaining hostages, reported Xinhua.

"As long as Hamas persists in its refusal to release our hostages, the pressure we exert will intensify," Netanyahu told the Knesset. "This includes the seizure of territories, and it includes other actions that I will not elaborate here."

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated the threat in a video statement addressing Gaza residents in Hebrew, saying Hamas is "putting your lives in danger and will cause you to lose your homes and more and more territories that will be incorporated into the Israeli defensive perimeter."

"Residents of Gaza, soon the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will operate forcefully in additional areas of Gaza, and you will be required to evacuate from combat zones for your safety," Katz said.

Operational plans to expand Israel's air and ground assaults on Gaza "are already prepared and approved," he said, adding that "the removal of Hamas from Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages" are "the only way to end the war."

Hamas kidnapped 251 hostages during its attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to Israeli tallies, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 35 of them presumed dead.

A phased ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19 after 15 months of Israel's devastating assault on Gaza. Its first phase includes the release of 33 hostages and about 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. All remaining living hostages are expected to be released in the second phase in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and more Palestinian detainees freed.

However, Israel refused to move to the second phase and resumed air and ground assaults on Gaza on March 18, which, according to the latest data from Gaza-based health authorities, have so far killed 830 Palestinians.

Netanyahu said previously that Israel renewed the offensive because Hamas rejected offers to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement.