Israel orders army to 'seize additional territories' in Gaza
Israel Katz said that the military would continue its ground operation in Gaza "with increasing intensity" until all of the hostages "both living and dead" were returned.
It is thought 24 of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza are alive, but their fate remains in the balance after negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire deal failed to progress.
The fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January ended this week as Israel resumed its ground campaign and bombing of Gaza, killing hundreds of people.
The situation in the Strip has been described as "gravely, gravely concerning" with "absolutely desperate tragedies occurring all over Gaza" by Sam Rose from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa.
Israel and the US have accused Hamas of rejecting proposals to extend the ceasefire. Hamas has said it is "engaging with the mediators with full responsibility and seriousness".
However, Katz said in a statement on Friday that "the more Hamas continues its refusal, the more territory it will lose to Israel".
Katz added that Israel still agreed to a proposal, which was brought by US envoy Steve Witkoff, "to release all the kidnapped, both living and dead, in advance and in two stages with a ceasefire in between".
"We will intensify the fighting with strikes from the air, sea and land and by expanding the ground manoeuvre until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated," Katz wrote.
The defence minister also said Israel would "implement US President Trump's voluntary transfer plan for Gaza residents".
Trump said he wants the US to take over and rebuild the Gaza Strip, while permanently removing its population of two million Palestinians.
FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyj5vq4wnwo
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