Israeli Defense Minister Katz told Hamas that the IDF would take "permanent" and "annexed" control of parts of the Gaza Strip unless the hostages were freed.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday warned that Israel will annex parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to release the hostages it is still holding. Katz has directed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to seize additional areas in Gaza and issue evacuation orders for Palestinian civilians residing there.

The United States told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that the Palestinian militant group Hamas was to blame for the deaths in the Gaza Strip since Israel resumed hostilities there. "Hamas bears full responsibility for the ongoing war in Gaza and for the resumption of hostilities.