Israel defence minister threatens to annex parts of Gaza

World The warning came as Israel stepped up the renewed assault it launched on Tuesday. JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened Friday to annex parts of the Gaza Strip unless Hamas militants release the remaining Israeli hostages held in the war-battered Palestinian territory. The warning came as Israel stepped up the renewed assault it launched on Tuesday, shattering the relative calm that had reigned in the war-battered territory since a January 19 ceasefire