Israel threatens to operate 'with full force' in more parts of Gaza

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that the military would soon "operate with full force" in additional parts of Gaza, more than a week after resuming its offensive in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli forces "will soon operate with full force in additional areas of Gaza, and you will be asked to evacuate from combat zones for your own safety", Katz said in a post on X. "Hamas is putting your lives at risk, causing you to lose your homes and more and more territory that will be integrated into Israel's defense formation."

Israel's military said two projectiles were fired from Gaza into Israeli territory on Wednesday, with one intercepted and the other falling in an area near the Gaza border.

"Following the sirens that sounded at 12:03 (1003 GMT) in the communities near the Gaza Strip, two projectiles were identified crossing into Israeli territory from central Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement. "One projectile was successfully intercepted by the IAF (air force) and a fallen projectile was identified in the area of Zimrat".

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Wednesday that Israel would intensify its pressure on Hamas if the Palestinian group refused to release hostages still held in Gaza.

"The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release our hostages, the stronger the pressure we will exert," Netanyahu told parliament. "I say this to my colleagues in the Knesset, and I say it to Hamas as well: This includes the seizure of territories, along with other measures I will not elaborate here," he said.

Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza staged a protests for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, calling for an end to the war with Israel, witnesses said.

Demonstrators carrying banners reading "Hamas does not represent us" were seen marching in Gaza City and the town of Beit Lahia in the north of the territory, more than a week after the Israeli army resumed its bombing campaign following nearly two months of a truce.

Health ministry in Gaza says 830 killed since Israel resumed strikes.