Israel Defense Minister Confirms: IDF Expanding Ground Operations in Gaza

Operation “Iron Swords” Enters New Phase

Following Arab media reports, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the expansion of Operation “Iron Swords” this morning (Wednesday).  This expansion includes the mass evacuation of Gazan civilians from combat zones, the elimination of terrorists and terror infrastructure, and the seizure of wide swaths of territory. These areas will be added to Israel’s security buffer zones to protect IDF troops and Israeli communities.

“I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to expel Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war,” Katz added.

Ongoing Hostage Negotiations

Meanwhile, negotiations for the release of the Israeli hostages continue, with each side holding firm to its demands. Israel is demanding the release of 11 live hostages in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire. Hamas has so far offered to release only five hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire.

While many in Israel approve military escalation and territorial capture as  means of pressure on Hamas, some families of hostages represented by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed concern, stating:  “Our deep concern is that this mission [freeing the hostages] has been pushed to the bottom of the priority list and has become merely a secondary goal.”

IDF Issues Its Most Extensive Evacuation Order Since Fighting Resumed

At the start of the week, IDF  spokesperson in Arabic Col. Avichay Adraee ordered the evacuation of all Gazan civilians from the Rafah area. In a message to Rafah residents, the IDF called for the immediate evacuation of the region.

 

“You Must Move Immediately to Al-Mawasi”

His statement calls on Gaza residents currently in the Rafah areas to move immediately to Al-Mawasi for their own safety, as the the IDF “is resuming intense combat to eliminate the capabilities of terror organizations in these areas”

IDF Operating with Increased Intensity Across the Strip

Troops from the IDF’s 252nd Reserve Division continue to carry out large-scale offensive operations in northern and central Gaza. These actions are part of the broader effort to expand security zones and dismantle Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror infrastructure.

In the latest operation, combat engineers from the elite Yahalom Unit, under divisional command, destroyed a one-kilometer-long underground tunnel constructed and actively used by Hamas. In a separate raid, IDF forces uncovered a rocket manufacturing workshop and launchers operating within a civilian urban area.

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According to IDF reports, over 50 terrorists have been eliminated so far in targeted strikes against terror cells and armed militants. This military effort is unfolding in parallel with the expansion of IDF activity in southern Gaza.

The IDF emphasized that forces will continue operating relentlessly and without compromise to eliminate the terror threat and ensure the safety of Israeli citizens.