Israel will seize more of Gaza until Hamas releases hostages: Katz

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday ordered the military to seize further land in the Gaza Strip until Hamas agrees to release all hostages and leave the territory. The war on Gaza resumed early on Tuesday with an Israeli bombardment that killed hundreds of Palestinians, shattering a ceasefire deal with Hamas. US President Donald Trump’s government expressed full support for the renewed offensive, after last month suggesting that Gaza’s two million Palestinians be resettled in other countries. The first phase of the ceasefire was enacted on January 19, but expired on March 1 when the parties could not agree on a way forward.