Israel Threatens Annexation Amid Intensified Ground Invasion in Northern and Southern Gaza

Israeli Forces Push Deeper into Gaza as Defense Minister Warns of Permanent Land Seizures

The Israeli military has escalated its assault on Gaza, launching ground operations in both the northern and southern regions. As the invasion intensifies, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a chilling warning: Israel will continue to seize Gaza’s territory unless Hamas releases all captives.

Ground Invasion Expands: Gaza Under Fire

On Friday, Katz announced that Israel would ramp up its military campaign, combining both military force and civilian pressure. His statement hinted at the forced evacuation of Gaza’s population to the south and even referenced former U.S. President Donald Trump’s voluntary migration plan for Palestinian residents.

Katz has reportedly instructed the Israeli army to occupy additional areas of Gaza, remove civilians, and expand security zones—a move that has sparked concerns over potential annexation.

“If Hamas refuses to release the hostages, Israel will take more and more land in Gaza for permanent control,” he told Israeli media.

This declaration came just hours after Israeli forces launched a large-scale incursion into Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and the Shaboura area of Rafah in the south, leaving residents in panic and devastation.

No Warnings, No Safe Zones

According to reports from central Gaza, residents in Beit Lahiya and Rafah had no prior warning before Israeli forces stormed their areas. Unlike previous military actions where leaflets were sometimes dropped advising people to evacuate, this time there were no such notifications.

“People suddenly found themselves trapped under relentless airstrikes and artillery shelling,” said a local reporter.

The situation in Gaza has worsened significantly since Israel broke the two-month ceasefire on Tuesday. In just four days, Israeli air and ground assaults have killed over 590 Palestinians, including 200 children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Airstrikes Rain Down Across Gaza

Alongside the ground invasion, intense Israeli airstrikes have been reported in multiple regions:

Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City
Khuza’a and Abasan (east of Khan Younis)
Northern and central Gaza regions

The attacks have caused widespread destruction, with entire residential blocks reduced to rubble.

Hospitals on the Brink of Collapse as Aid is Blocked

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is now at its most critical point. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has warned that the blockade on aid is deepening the crisis.

“This is the longest period since the war began in October 2023 that no aid has entered Gaza,” said Sam Rose, a UNRWA official.

Doctors in Gaza have also raised alarms, reporting that hospitals are overwhelmed and running out of essential supplies.

Zero medical aid has entered Gaza for 18 days.
Most injured patients are children, women, and the elderly.
Hospitals are at risk of shutting down due to fuel shortages.

“If fuel is not delivered soon, many hospitals will be forced to close completely,” a Gaza-based doctor warned.

Global Condemnation Grows

On March 2, Israel blocked all humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, after the first phase of the ceasefire ended.

The international community has strongly criticized Israel’s actions. European nations have warned that the complete blockade of Gaza could amount to a violation of international humanitarian law. However, Israeli officials remain firm in their stance, emphasizing their intention to expand their territorial control if Hamas does not comply with their demands.

What’s Next?

As Israeli forces tighten their grip on Gaza, the risk of permanent annexation looms larger than ever. With thousands of civilians trapped, hospitals running out of resources, and no humanitarian aid allowed in, Gaza faces one of its darkest moments.

The world watches as the conflict intensifies, but for those in Gaza, every passing hour is a fight for survival.