Tel Aviv: Israel will escalate its military operations in the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian group Hamas continues to reject a proposed temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced. Katz emphasized that the military operations will expand to new phases if Hamas maintains its current stance.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Katz revealed that the Egyptian government has introduced new terms for a ceasefire, demanding the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. This marks the first instance where Egypt has stipulated such conditions for a peace agreement and the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

Israel had previously resumed its military strikes on Gaza on March 18, following Hamas' refusal to accept a US-mediated plan to extend a ceasefire that expired on March 1. In addition to the renewed strikes, Israel has taken measures such as cutting off electricity to a desalination plant in Gaza and blocking the entry of trucks carrying humanitarian aid.