Middle East: Israel intends to seize 'large areas' of Gaza

The Israeli military is widening its area of control into large parts of the Gaza Strip, the country's defense chief says. Meanwhile, Germany announced that some of its citizens have left the territory. DW has more.

Israel's defense minister has said the army is widening its presence in the Gaza Strip, with plans to "seize large areas that will be incorporated into Israeli security zones."

Israel Katz said his country would expand its presence in Gaza to "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure."

However, Katz did not provide further details on how much territory Israel intends to occupy.

An organization representing hostages in Gaza criticized's Katz's announcement. UN officials have warned that Israel's plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza amounts to ethnic cleansing.

It comes as officials in Gaza say 17 people were killed in Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis overnight.

Here the latest developments in Israel, Gaza, and the wider Middle East on Wednesday, April 2.