Israel’s Minister of Defense Yisrael Katz and chief of staff of the Israeli army Eyal Zamir announced Sunday the expansion of military operations in Gaza, despite ongoing efforts by mediators to secure a ceasefire.
Katz said Israel would proceed “using all necessary means” to protect soldiers and target what he described as Hamas “murderers,” warning that Hamas must release the captives “ it will be destroyed.”
On his side, Zamir said the army would intensify operations in northern and southern Gaza, targeting Hamas’s infrastructure to “weaken the group’s military capabilities and secure the release of captives.”
Hamas, meanwhile, expressed its readiness for indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on disputed points. The group welcomed ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt to end the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, seeking a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Earlier, President Donald Trump stated that mediators were “very close” to an agreement on Gaza and might announce an agreement soon. However, a senior Hamas official accused the US administration of aligning with Israel’s conditions, suggesting the proposed deal was designed to pressure Hamas to reject it and appear uncooperative.
On Saturday, US envoy Steve Witkoff called Hamas’s response to his proposal “unacceptable,” urging the group to accept the framework and begin indirect negotiations within a week.
Hamas had proposed releasing 10 captives and handing over 18 bodies in exchange for a permanent ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel rejected the proposal.
On Sunday, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement reaffirming their efforts to bridge gaps and facilitate a ceasefire based on Witkoff’s proposal. They also called for a 60-day truce to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid, referencing the Arab League summit’s reconstruction plan.
Hamas is still holding 58 captives, including four Americans. Of those, 35 are believed dead and 22 are thought to be alive, with the status of two others unknown. Hamas recently released dual Israeli-American citizen Aidan Alexander.
Israel resumed its war on Gaza on March 18 after walking away from a ceasefire agreement that had taken effect on Jan. 19. That deal aimed to end hostilities, secure the release of all captives held by Hamas, and initiate a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave—conditions that Israel failed to implement.
