Israel launches ground operation in Gaza as ceasefire collapses: What we know
After heavy aerial bombardments, Israeli troops launched their first ground incursion into central Gaza since January's ceasefire was reached.
The Israeli military announced Wednesday that it had resumed ground operations in central Gaza, a day after airstrikes killed more than 400 Palestinians, breaking the fragile ceasefire reached in January.
The military said it had retaken parts of the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza from east to west, and the operations were aimed at expanding the buffer zone.
The military reported that troops from the 252nd Division advanced into the Netzarim Corridor, seizing roughly half of the area up to the north-south Salah al-Din road. This advance significantly restricted the movement of Gazans attempting to return north from the southern part of the Strip. However, passage on foot remains possible in the corridor's western section.
The military also announced the deployment of the Golani Brigade to the southern Gaza border on the Israeli side, positioning forces for potential operations in the southern part of the Strip.
In a speech on Wednesday directed at residents of Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded all of the remaining hostages be released, saying the recent actions were a "last warning" and threatening further attacks.
"The air force attack against Hamas terrorists was just the first step. The continuation would be much harsher, and you will pay the price," he said.
Katz added that Israel will soon start calling on Gaza populations to evacuate certain areas. "If all the Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not expelled from Gaza — Israel will act with forces you have never known before," he said, adding that "the alternative (to not releasing the hostages) is complete destruction and devastation."
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce. On Monday night, Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, stating that Hamas had rejected a new hostage release proposal presented by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Tuesday that Israel would negotiate “only under fire,” meaning it will continue its military operations and will not halt attacks solely for negotiations, but only in exchange for the release of hostages.
A second day of airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least 20 Palestinians, according to local health workers.
Hamas said in a statement on Wednesday that the United States is responsible for the recent deaths in Gaza. "The American administration bears direct responsibility for the innocent blood being shed in the Gaza Strip," said Hamas in a statement carried by the affiliated Shehab news agency. The group called on the countries responsible for mediating the ceasefire talks as well as other Arab states to help stop Israel's operations. "We call on the guarantor mediators to assume their responsibilities in reining in this brutal aggression," said Hamas. "We also call on our Arab and Islamic nation … to take urgent action at all levels to support our people in the Gaza Strip."
