Israel Announces Expansion Of Military Operation In Gaza To Seize ‘large Area’ Of Land, Ordering Residents To Leave

Israel has announced a significant escalation of its military campaign in Gaza, aimed at capturing "large areas" of land, with an order for residents to evacuate. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed on Wednesday that the operation would include the takeover of substantial land, intended to be integrated into Israel’s security zones. He stated that the initiative also entails a “massive evacuation of Gaza’s population from combat zones,” although he did not provide further details.

The military aims to “eliminate terrorist presence and infrastructure” while securing large territories for its security zone. On Tuesday, the Israeli military’s spokesperson for Arabic media advised residents of the southern Rafah area in Gaza to leave their homes and relocate north.

Last month, an Israeli official and another source shared with CNN that plans for a potential large-scale ground offensive were underway, involving the deployment of tens of thousands of troops to clear and occupy significant portions of Gaza. Katz did not indicate whether more Israeli troops would be part of the expanded military operation.

(Source CNN)