Israel expands ground assault on Gaza, vows to capture large areas

By Staff Reporter
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says the military is expanding its ground assault on Gaza and will “capture extensive territory” that will be added to the so-called buffer zones in the Strip.
This comes as the death toll from Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza rose to at least 17 since the early hours of the morning.
All bakeries in Gaza, including 25 run by the World Food Programme (WFP), have shut down as Israel’s blockade on the Strip continues for a 31st day, marking the longest siege since the war began.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says at least 50,399 Palestinians are confirmed dead and 114,583 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza. The Government Media Office updated its death toll about two months ago to more than 61,700, saying that thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.