Israel renewed its bombing campaign and ground operations in Gaza on Thursday, killing at least 85 Palestinians and injuring scores more in Israeli bombings throughout the enclave, according to the health ministry of the enclave.
The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it has started ground operations in the northern part of the enclave, along the coastal road in the Beit Lahia area, one day after commencing a fresh ground campaign in central Gaza, reports Reuters.
The terrorist Palestinian organization Hamas said that its fighters launched rockets into Israel within the first 48 hours of the relaunched Israeli attack, but it had not yet responded. The Israeli military claimed that after projectiles were fired from Gaza, sirens rang in the country's center.
Israeli strikes, according to Palestinian medical professionals, struck a number of homes in the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military claimed it was investigating the reports when contacted for comment.
The military has essentially abandoned a ceasefire with Hamas that has existed since January by resuming air attacks on Gaza since Tuesday and beginning ground operations on Wednesday.
It stated on Thursday that its forces had been involved for the last 24 hours in what it called a targeted ground operation to extend the Netzarim corridor, a buffer zone that divides Gaza's northern and southern sections.
Israel advised locals to avoid the main north-south route, the Salahuddin road, and to instead travel along the shore.
Tuesday was one of the deadliest days of the war, with almost 400 Palestinians murdered on the first day of airstrikes that were restarted.
This week's strikes have killed several of Hamas's top leaders, including the deputy head of the justice ministry administered by Hamas, the chief of security services, his adviser, and the de facto head of the Gaza government, in a setback to the organization as it attempted to restore its administration in Gaza.
Despite being badly weakened, Hamas has managed to survive despite Israel warned that the recent attack was just the beginning.
The Israeli ground operation and the entry into the Netzarim Corridor, according to the terrorist group, constitute a "new and dangerous violation" of the ceasefire agreement that has been in place for two months. It called on mediators to "assume their responsibilities" and reiterated its support to the ceasefire agreement in a statement.
At the beginning of this month, a short initial phase of the truce came to an end. In a second phase that has been agreed upon, Hamas wants to exchange Israeli hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian captives and demand Israel to negotiate an end to the war and the departure of its troops.
Israel has offered only a temporary extension of the truce, cut off all supplies to Gaza and says it is restarting its military campaign to force Hamas to free remaining hostages.
Bulldozers and tanks
Among the ruins of the destroyed enclave, Palestinians have started to rebuild their homes, but the return of airstrikes has forced them to flee for their safety once more.
Israeli troops moving toward Netzarim fired on automobiles, according to some Palestinians who attempted to utilize the Salahuddin road. It was unclear what would happen to the people inside the cars.
According to a taxi driver who asked not to be named out of concern for retaliation, "Bulldozers protected by some tanks were heading to the west coming from the areas where they are stationed near the fence east of the Salahuddin road."
He claimed that when Egyptian and foreign inspectors assigned to Netzarim under the truce suddenly left, it was evident that the Israelis were moving toward the area.
While some locals reported incidents to the International Committee of the Red Cross, others used social media to disclose the disappearance of some family members.
However, a Hamas source told Reuters on Thursday that "no breakthrough has yet been made" despite mediators stepping up their efforts with the two warring factions.
According to several locals, there are currently no indications that Hamas is getting ready to start violence again.
However, a representative of one Hamas-affiliated militant organization told Reuters on Thursday that militants, including those from Hamas, had been placed on high alert while they awaited further orders.
The official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that "as a precaution, fighters and resistance leaders were also advised to avoid the use of cellular phones."
According to Israeli estimates, Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured over 250 captives in their October 2023 raid on Israeli villages, sparking the commencement of the conflict.
According to Gaza's health authorities, the enclave has been reduced to rubble and more than 49,000 Palestinians have been murdered in the ensuing battle.
