Katz says offensive aimed at seizing ‘extensive territory,’ as IDF pounds south Gaza

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday morning that Israel is expanding operations in Gaza, following extensive overnight strikes in the southern part of the enclave. Troops will move to clear areas “of terrorists and infrastructure, and capture extensive territory that will be added to the State of Israel’s security areas,” Katz said in a statement. The IDF deployed another division to the southern Gaza Strip early in the day as part of the expansion of the offensive against Hamas.  

Palestinian media reported a large wave of strikes in Rafah and Khan Younis the night prior, and later said troops were advancing in Rafah. According to the reports, the bombings killed 21 people as of Wednesday morning. Later Wednesday, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement that they carried out a strike on Hamas terror operatives in the Jabalia area. Palestinian media reported at least eight dead in the strike and said the target was an UNRWA clinic. 

“The operatives were in a command and control compound that served as terror infrastructure and as a central meeting point for the terrorist organization,” according to the Israeli statement. “Additionally, the building was used by the Jabalia Battalion to advance [attacks] plans against Israeli civilians and IDF forces,” they added. The military said various measures were taken ahead of the strikes to minimize the risk to civilians, including intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance.  (Read more)