Israel's military chief orders expansion of Gaza offensive
"We are in the midst of a powerful and relentless operation," Zamir said to soldiers.
The offensive is to continue until "the return of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas' governing capabilities and military wing," the statement further noted.
Zamir said that the Palestinian Islamist organization is now losing control over the Gaza Strip. He did not provide details.
Previously, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that he had instructed the army to continue advancing in the Gaza Strip and to achieve all declared war objectives, "regardless of any negotiations."
Hopes for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas have been dashed for the time being. Although Hamas agreed in its response to a proposal by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of some hostages still held there, it set further conditions.
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'Unfortunately, up to this moment, the United States and the administration of President Trump—who personally spoke about extinguishing fires across the entire Middle East—have not yet acted regarding Gaza,' he said. 'We have not found any initiative from the United States to stop the war in Gaza.' He urged the US to recognize 'there was already a proposed solution on the table, which is the two-state solution.' Without it, he warned, 'hatred will persist within this generation that experienced the war of October 7. This generation will fully realize that if the Palestinian issue is not resolved, there will be neither security nor peace in the Middle East region, especially in Palestine.' 'Therefore,' he said, 'the United States is required to take a step forward—first to stop the war, then to assist the Palestinian people in obtaining their rights.' Those rights, he concluded, 'can only be achieved through the realization of a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital—this is for sure.' The Fatah spokesperson also emphasized the importance of regional and global backing. 'We have experienced a war in the Gaza Strip that targeted our people. The international community, our Arab brothers, our friends, and the European Union must stand by the Palestinian people.' Asked whether Gazans would be allowed to leave, Al-Hayek was unequivocal. 'The Palestinian people do not want to leave Gaza,' he told The Media Line. 'We repeat each time: We will remain in Gaza until Judgment Day. Here we were born, and here we shall die.' He acknowledged that some residents might travel temporarily 'for leisure, education, or medical treatment,' but rejected the idea of permanent departure. To abandon Gaza, he said, in the way envisioned by 'Netanyahu's extremist government, along with Smotrich and Ben-Gvir—that is an illusion. We emphasize clearly: this is an illusion. We will remain in Gaza until Judgment Day.' 'We are the rightful owners of this land; we will build it, develop it, live upon it, and be buried beneath its soil,' he said. 'Some of us might leave temporarily due to difficult living conditions, for education or medical treatment. But to leave and abandon our homes, houses, history, and lives—that certainly is an illusion.' No Palestinian, he added, 'would accept leaving their property, life, and memories behind simply because of a war.' Only the National Security Forces, Al-Hayek said, should be deployed 'to protect public properties and the properties of citizens.' Any administrative or support committees, he argued, must 'be part of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian government. We do not say 'coordinate' with the Authority, as 'coordination' is a vague term.' He called the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) 'the representative of the Palestinian people' and said it will determine Gaza's future. 'Whoever wishes to govern the Strip must go to the ballot box, because it is the Palestinian people who choose their future leadership,' he said. The spokesperson pointed to a 'clear plan proposed by Fatah' through Egypt that affirms 'on the day after, legitimacy belongs exclusively to the official body representing the Palestinian people.' He concluded by calling for a ceasefire 'at least during this phase' that would include 'the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip' and the release by Israel of prisoners who, he said, 'fought for freedom and independence.' 'Regarding pressure,' he finished, 'we have repeatedly demanded—and we demand once again for the thousandth time—that Hamas exit the governmental scene. Hamas must leave the Gaza Strip to the legitimate government, which represents Palestinian citizens in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.'
