The Israel Defense Forces launched a major ground offensive Wednesday in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as it expands its campaign to dismantle Hamas following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced.
Katz said the IDF is working to "clear the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure, and to seize large territories that will be incorporated into Israel’s security zones." He urged Gaza residents to "act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages," calling it "the only way to end the war."
The expanded offensive comes as Israel moves to seize a large swath of land that will cut off the city of Khan Younis from Rafah, which Israeli forces have long viewed as critical to stopping the smuggling of weapons to Hamas, Reuters reported. The IDF earlier this week ordered the mass evacuation of Rafah residents, citing the need to "dismantle the capabilities of the terrorist organizations" in the city.
"We are now dividing the Strip and we are increasing pressure step by step so they will give us our hostages," Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message.
Israel on Wednesday also carried out a strike on Hamas operatives in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, the IDF said in a statement.
"The operatives were in a command and control compound that served as terror infrastructure and as a central meeting point for the terrorist organization," the statement reads. "Additionally, the building was used by the Jabalia Battalion to advance [attacks] plans against Israeli civilians and IDF forces."
Israel resumed military operations on March 18 after Hamas failed to release the remaining 59 hostages, including 24 believed to be alive, ending a ceasefire that began in January.
The Trump administration has backed Israel's decision, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes saying that "Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war."
Update 1:53 p.m.: This piece has been updated with additional information.