Israel Initiates Limited Ground Operation in Gaza Amid Escalating Violence
The Israeli military's new offensive follows deadly airstrikes and aims to regain control of the strategic Netzarim corridor.
Israeli forces have commenced a 'limited ground operation' aimed at retaking the Netzarim corridor, a strategically significant area within Gaza characterized by fortified bunkers and an expanded roadway essential for controlling the region.
This operation marks a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict, occurring less than 36 hours after a series of airstrikes that reportedly killed over 400 individuals, including 183 children and 94 women, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Zaher al-Waheidi, the head of the ministry’s records department, termed the airstrikes as the most deadly single day in Gaza to date since the conflict began.
Approximately 20 further fatalities were reported from subsequent Israeli strikes on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll to 436 over a span of 48 hours, as stated by a spokesperson for Gaza's civil defense service.
Among the casualties was a UN staff member, who died when Israeli strikes hit two UN guesthouses in Deir al-Balah.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into the strikes on their facilities.
Israel has denied targeting UN buildings, asserting that there was no operational activity by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the vicinity of the UN compound.
As part of a broader military strategy, Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 150,000 residents in northern and eastern Gaza, raising concerns about an impending escalation on the ground.
The recapture of the Netzarim corridor represents the first substantial military maneuver to reclaim territory following a two-month ceasefire that was abruptly shattered.
On Tuesday, a private security firm responsible for securing checkpoints in the area withdrew, allowing Israeli troops in armored vehicles and tanks to advance into the territory at dawn on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have reoccupied four fortified bases in the corridor, effectively cutting off all access and isolating populations from north to south Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the offensive would persist until there is a 'total victory' over Hamas and the release of 59 hostages held by the group.
The previous ceasefire agreement, established in January, had seen Israel withdrawing from the Netzarim corridor, which is now back under military control.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued warnings to residents of Gaza, advising them to heed US President Donald Trump's calls for the return of Israeli hostages and suggesting that further options could be available for those willing to assent to such demands.
The conflict's resurgence has rapidly escalated humanitarian concerns within Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that medical personnel are struggling to cope with the surge in casualties due to recent conflicts, further complicated by a significant decrease in medical supplies due to halted humanitarian aid.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms agreed upon in the ceasefire, which had largely held since January and was intended to provide respite for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
The current hostilities were sparked by an incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, alongside reports of 250 hostages taken.
The Israeli military's counteroffensive in Gaza has resulted in over 49,000 casualties, the majority of whom are civilians.
The decision to renew military action in Gaza was reportedly prompted by Hamas's rejection of proposals for extending the ceasefire, despite ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages.
Netanyanhu's administration has faced criticisms and protests calling for de-escalation, as public sentiment seems divided between calls for a cessation of violence and support for military efforts against Hamas.
Protests have erupted across Israel, with tens of thousands opposing both the renewed offensive and Netanyahu’s handling of the situation.
Air raid alerts were activated across parts of southern Israel following reports of a missile launch from Yemen, which Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted.
This follows recent strikes by US forces against Houthi positions in Yemen, amidst increasing tensions in the region.
The situation remains fluid, with Israeli officials asserting that the ongoing assaults are merely the initial phase of a broader military campaign aimed at undermining Hamas’s control and achieving the release of hostages, amidst warnings from humanitarian organizations regarding the dire consequences of further escalation in the already devastated territory.
This operation marks a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict, occurring less than 36 hours after a series of airstrikes that reportedly killed over 400 individuals, including 183 children and 94 women, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Zaher al-Waheidi, the head of the ministry’s records department, termed the airstrikes as the most deadly single day in Gaza to date since the conflict began.
Approximately 20 further fatalities were reported from subsequent Israeli strikes on Wednesday, bringing the total death toll to 436 over a span of 48 hours, as stated by a spokesperson for Gaza's civil defense service.
Among the casualties was a UN staff member, who died when Israeli strikes hit two UN guesthouses in Deir al-Balah.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into the strikes on their facilities.
Israel has denied targeting UN buildings, asserting that there was no operational activity by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the vicinity of the UN compound.
As part of a broader military strategy, Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders for approximately 150,000 residents in northern and eastern Gaza, raising concerns about an impending escalation on the ground.
The recapture of the Netzarim corridor represents the first substantial military maneuver to reclaim territory following a two-month ceasefire that was abruptly shattered.
On Tuesday, a private security firm responsible for securing checkpoints in the area withdrew, allowing Israeli troops in armored vehicles and tanks to advance into the territory at dawn on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have reoccupied four fortified bases in the corridor, effectively cutting off all access and isolating populations from north to south Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the offensive would persist until there is a 'total victory' over Hamas and the release of 59 hostages held by the group.
The previous ceasefire agreement, established in January, had seen Israel withdrawing from the Netzarim corridor, which is now back under military control.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued warnings to residents of Gaza, advising them to heed US President Donald Trump's calls for the return of Israeli hostages and suggesting that further options could be available for those willing to assent to such demands.
The conflict's resurgence has rapidly escalated humanitarian concerns within Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that medical personnel are struggling to cope with the surge in casualties due to recent conflicts, further complicated by a significant decrease in medical supplies due to halted humanitarian aid.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms agreed upon in the ceasefire, which had largely held since January and was intended to provide respite for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza.
The current hostilities were sparked by an incursion by Hamas into Israel in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, alongside reports of 250 hostages taken.
The Israeli military's counteroffensive in Gaza has resulted in over 49,000 casualties, the majority of whom are civilians.
The decision to renew military action in Gaza was reportedly prompted by Hamas's rejection of proposals for extending the ceasefire, despite ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages.
Netanyanhu's administration has faced criticisms and protests calling for de-escalation, as public sentiment seems divided between calls for a cessation of violence and support for military efforts against Hamas.
Protests have erupted across Israel, with tens of thousands opposing both the renewed offensive and Netanyahu’s handling of the situation.
Air raid alerts were activated across parts of southern Israel following reports of a missile launch from Yemen, which Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted.
This follows recent strikes by US forces against Houthi positions in Yemen, amidst increasing tensions in the region.
The situation remains fluid, with Israeli officials asserting that the ongoing assaults are merely the initial phase of a broader military campaign aimed at undermining Hamas’s control and achieving the release of hostages, amidst warnings from humanitarian organizations regarding the dire consequences of further escalation in the already devastated territory.
