Israel has expanded its military campaign in Gaza, launching ground operations in the central and southern parts of the territory just a day after airstrikes killed at least 400 Palestinians in one of the deadliest episodes since the war began in October 2023.
The Israeli military announced that its forces have begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south. This marks a significant escalation following the collapse of the January ceasefire agreement with Hamas Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza, killing at least 38 more Palestinians according to local health workers. This follows Tuesday’s devastating bombardments. Among the casualties reported was a staff member from the United Nations Office for Project Services.
Akashvani Correspondent reports that while Gaza’s health ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its casualty counts, and Israel claims the strikes targeted Hamas military commanders and political officials, the likelihood remains high that civilians were killed in large numbers. Despite the renewed violence, Hamas officials maintain they are open to negotiations to restore the ceasefire, though they refuse to renegotiate the original agreement that took effect on January 19 earlier this year. Meanwhile, the United States State Department indicated Wednesday that a bridge proposal to extend the ceasefire still exists but warned that the opportunity is closing very fast. The intense Israeli bombardment has sent a stream of new casualties to the few hospitals still functioning in Gaza and triggered fears of a return to full-blown war after two months of relative calm.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that from now on, negotiations will take place only under fire. He said Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages.
The White House confirmed that Israel consulted with the Trump administration before launching the strikes, with Israeli officials stating the return to fighting was fully coordinated with Washington. According to the State Department, this proposal would secure the release of five living hostages, including American Edan Alexander, and a substantial number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
According to Israeli media, the Israeli army has also closed Salah al-Din Street, a route previously designated by Israel for safe passage from northern Gaza to the south.
