The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning, stating that military operations in Gaza will be escalated if Hamas does not agree to a deal for the release of hostages soon.
Katz made it clear that should Hamas fail to comply, the group would face an intensified military response of unprecedented severity in the region.
Katz emphasised that Israel’s military efforts would continue to target militant strongholds until the hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled.
He described the potential escalation as delivering “blows of an intensity not seen in Gaza for a long time.” This warning underscores the mounting tension as Israel and Hamas remain locked in a deadlock over the hostage situation.
Negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have reportedly stalled due to disagreements on critical issues. Hamas has called for the continuation of the ceasefire, while Israel insists on the right to resume military operations if it identifies a security threat.
Another significant sticking point is Hamas's demand for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israel has opposed this, maintaining that a military presence is necessary for security control in the volatile region.
The ongoing conflict stems from the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an assault on southern Israel. This attack resulted in the abduction of approximately 250 civilians and soldiers, of whom around 100 are still believed to be held captive in Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent military offensive has severely impacted the Gaza Strip, causing widespread destruction and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The region faces acute shortages of food and medical supplies, with diseases spreading rapidly. According to Gazan health officials, the death toll has risen to at least 45,540 since the conflict began.
Amid the escalating tensions, sporadic rocket fire continues between the two sides. On December 29, fighters in Gaza fired five rockets at southern Israel, prompting air raid sirens in Sderot and surrounding areas.
No injuries were reported, and the Israeli military stated that two of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system, while the others likely landed in open areas.
This marked the second consecutive day of rocket fire from Gaza. On the previous day, two long-range rockets were launched toward the Jerusalem area, but both were intercepted by Israeli defence systems.
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