Israel announced plans to relocate Palestinians to Southern Gaza, ahead of planned military operations. The move is part of efforts to protect civilians and allow safer movement of humanitarian aid. The Israel Defense Forces has not said when the mass movement of people will begin. The military agency COGAT said that the supply of tents and shelter equipment to Gaza will resume soon, with aid being delivered through the Kerem Shalom Crossing under the supervision of the UN and international organizations.
Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media that Israel is in the stage of discussions to formulate the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza and return the hostages, following which there will be a comprehensive and powerful plan to carry out the mission. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a recent interview with Fox News, confirmed that the country’s goal is to take full control of the Gaza Strip to eliminate Hamas and eventually transfer responsibility to Arab authorities.
Families of hostages still being held by Hamas have called for a nationwide protest on Sunday, expressing their concerns as the war nears its third year. Fifty of these hostages are still being held, and only 20 are believed to be alive. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that the families have seen the suffering of those held in Hamas’s tunnels and called for the nation to come together to support the families of hostages, soldiers, and to influence the outcome of the situation.
Two mothers and a wife of three hostages wrote about their hopes and pain, saying the days have been long, and the nights even worse, but they remain hopeful that the entire nation will not give up on their loved ones. They emphasized that the nation’s support can bring about the release of the hostages and the lives of Israeli soldiers. The report was contributed to by Fox News’ Madison Colombo and the Associated Press.