Israel Expands Gaza Buffer Zone in Renewed Push to Free Hostages

As Israel celebrated the start of Passover, the Israel Defense Forces intensified its operations in the Gaza Strip, expanding the buffer zone and striking dozens of Hamas targets in a renewed push to pressure the terrorist group into releasing the remaining hostages.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that “tens of percent of Gaza’s territory have become part of Israel’s security areas,” and that “hundreds of thousands of residents have already evacuated.” The objective, he said, is to apply sustained pressure on Hamas to bring it back to negotiations.

“The main goal is to exert heavy pressure on Hamas for it to return to the framework of a hostage release,” Katz stated. “As long as Hamas persists in its refusal, the IDF activity will intensify.”

Over the weekend, the IDF launched a wide-scale offensive across Gaza, targeting more than 90 strategic points, including command centers, weapons depots, tunnel shafts, and rocket launch sites.

In Rafah, Israeli ground forces discovered tunnel infrastructure and eliminated multiple terrorists. Special operations by the elite Yahalom unit destroyed a 1.2-kilometer tunnel in northern Gaza, buried 20 meters underground, and uncovered a weapons cache filled with explosives and anti-tank systems.

A Hamas facility operating within Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was also struck, with the IDF emphasizing that civilians were warned in advance and that care was taken to minimize collateral damage. “Hamas systematically violates international law by using civilian infrastructure and exploiting the population as human shields,” the military said in a statement.

Another key strike took out a Hamas command center in Deir al-Balah that was reportedly used to coordinate attacks. Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft responded swiftly when terrorists were spotted planting explosives near Israeli troops.

In Kibbutz Re’im, a projectile fired from Gaza was intercepted by Israel’s missile defense system on Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported.

As IDF operations continue, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir joined soldiers from the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion for a Seder meal at the Mevo Dotan post in Samaria. The battalion, which has suffered 27 casualties since the war began, received praise from Zamir for their courage and sacrifice.

“Our freedom is bought with blood,” Zamir told the troops. “Everything we are doing in Gaza is to free the hostages and dismantle Hamas. This is our duty—freedom.”

Israel’s campaign remains focused: dismantle Hamas, secure the release of the hostages, and protect its citizens. And as Israelis gathered for Passover, those values were reflected not only in tradition, but in action.

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