Israel began its first ground assault on Wednesday after halting the ceasefire with Hamas, sending troops to reclaim a significant Gaza passage.
The Israeli military, the IDF, has successfully taken back the southern Netzarim corridor, with plans to extend the current buffer zone and initiate “ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip,” according to military representatives.
This action followed Defense Minister Yisroel Katz’s warning for Palestinians to evacuate Gaza’s conflict zones as Israel reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating Hamas.
“Gaza residents, this is a final warning,” Katz declared. “The Air Force strikes against Hamas terrorists were just the first step.”
The Israeli Air Force resumed its strikes on Tuesday, breaking the ceasefire with a series of air raids that claimed over 400 lives, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
Israel accused Hamas of rejecting a U.S.-supported ceasefire proposal that would have secured more hostages in exchange for an extension of the initial ceasefire phase.
By reclaiming the Netzarim corridor, which splits Gaza into two, the IDF aims to isolate Hamas’ primary forces, which have regrouped in Gaza’s northern region.
However, northern Gaza also shelters thousands of refugees who returned home during the brief ceasefire and may now face displacement once again.
Katz urged Gaza’s residents to heed the evacuation orders from the IDF, with Israel setting its sights on eliminating Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks.
“The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza and the second Sinwar will completely destroy it,” Katz warned, promising that Hamas “will pay the full price.”
Further airstrikes on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least 20 more people, including a United Nations staff member working at the UN’s headquarters in Gaza City.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the UN office for Project Services, accused Israel of intentionally targeting a building that was serving as a refuge for displaced people.
“Israel knew that this was a UN premises, that people were living, staying and working there,” Silva told reporters during a conference in Brussels.
“It is a compound. It is a very well-known place. This was not an accident,” he said. “What’s happening in Gaza is unconscionable.”
Hamas also condemned the airstrikes, accusing Israel of failing to honor the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which would have seen all living hostages released in exchange for Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is facing widespread criticism for his decision to resume military action.
Approximately 40,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square on Tuesday evening to protest Netanyahu’s war decision, with more demonstrations held in Yerushalayim on Wednesday.
Many family members of hostages, who have been held in Gaza for over 500 days, fear that reigniting the conflict will endanger their loved ones, potentially leading to death by Hamas, starvation, or an accidental Israeli strike.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker and an outspoken critic of Netanyahu, called for protesters to set up camp outside the IDF’s Kirya headquarters to express their opposition.
“Netanyahu didn’t open the gates of hell on Hamas,” she said. “He opened the gates of hell on our loved ones.”
In addition to the protests over his war decision, Netanyahu is facing public outcry for his attempts to dismiss Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, who was investigating allegations of connections between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar.
Critics argue that both the push to return to war and the efforts to remove Bar are politically motivated moves designed to regain support from the fractured far-right and to secure Netanyahu’s political position.
Among the 59 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, at least 24 are thought to be alive, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander from New Jersey.
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