——- Defence Minister claims new operations aim to “seize large areas that will be added to the security zones” of Israel
——- Netanyahu to visit Hungary despite ICC arrest warrant over Gaza war crimes
——- Hungary must arrest ICC suspects but PM Orban vowed to ignore the warrant, allowing Netanyahu’s visit
DM Monitoring
GAZA: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday the expansion of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, which will involve seizing large areas of the enclave and incorporating them into Israeli security zones.
Katz emphasised that the operation would lead to the large-scale evacuation of Gaza’s population from conflict zones, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Katz’s statement called on the people of Gaza to eliminate Hamas and return Israeli hostages, framing these demands as necessary steps to end the war.
Israeli forces have resumed airstrikes on Gaza and deployed ground troops back into the enclave, following a period of relative calm after the conclusion of a US-backed truce that facilitated the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Israeli leaders have also stated their intention to facilitate the voluntary departure of Palestinians from Gaza. This follows comments from US President Donald Trump, who proposed permanently evacuating the territory and redeveloping it as a coastal resort under US control.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts led by Qatari and Egyptian mediators to revive negotiations aimed at ending the conflict have yet to yield progress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that military pressure remains the most effective means of securing the release of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas.
The military campaign was launched after Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
In retaliation, Israel’s operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities, with the civilian population bearing the brunt of the military offensive.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins a four-day visit to Hungary on Thursday, defying an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over allegations of war crimes in Gaza as Israel has expanded its military operation in the enclave.
As a founding member of the ICC, Hungary is theoretically obliged to arrest and hand over anyone subject to a warrant from the court but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made clear when he issued the invitation that Hungary would not respect the ruling.
Netanyahu, who is battling a political storm at home over an investigation into suspected ties between Qatar and three of his aides, is due to meet Orban ahead of a press conference at around 1000 GMT.
Netanyahu has rejected the accusations regarding his aides as “fake news”. A Qatari official has dismissed the accusations as part of a “smear campaign” against Qatar.
In Budapest, workers were constructing a stage in the Buda Castle on Wednesday, where Orban was scheduled to welcome Netanyahu in a ceremony with military honours on Thursday morning and security forces could be seen near the central Budapest hotel where Netanyahu will be staying.
