Israel Warns Annexation Parts of Gaza if Hamas Fails to Release Hostage

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Tel Aviv – The Israeli government has reportedly delivered an ultimatum to Hamas: release all remaining hostages or risk Israel permanently annexing parts of the Gaza Strip currently under Israeli military control.

Senior Israeli officials have confirmed that if Hamas continues to delay the release of hostages taken during the October 2023 assault, Israel will begin formal steps to absorb strategic territories in Gaza into its jurisdiction. These include areas already under Israeli army control since the start of the ground operations.

“The message is clear: the prolonged captivity of Israeli citizens will not be tolerated,” an unnamed official was quoted as saying. “If Hamas chooses war over dialogue, Israel will redraw the map.”

Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has taken operational control over key regions in Gaza — notably the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects Gaza City, and the Morag Axis, providing military access from the southern border. Analysts believe these zones could serve as the foundation for permanent annexation, turning temporary occupation into irreversible geopolitical change.

This threat follows the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar. U.S. officials have reportedly withdrawn from the talks, frustrated by what they described as Hamas’s “refusal to engage in meaningful terms,” including the unconditional release of hostages and disarmament.

Hamas, for its part, claims Israel is using the hostages as a pretext to prolong its occupation and avoid international scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Gaza faces an intensifying humanitarian crisis. Aid groups report soaring child malnutrition rates, near-total collapse of medical infrastructure, and rising civilian casualties. While Israel has maintained that humanitarian corridors are functioning, UN agencies have warned of “catastrophic gaps” in food, water, and shelter supplies.

The international community is sharply divided on Israel’s annexation threat:

• United States & European Union: Urging restraint and reengagement with peace talks.
• Arab League & Muslim Nations: Condemning the announcement as “a grave violation of international law.”
• United Nations: Warning that unilateral annexation may trigger a regional crisis and permanent breakdown of the two-state framework.

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