In London and Jerusalem
Israeli Defense ForcesIsrael says it expanded its ground operations in Gaza after the Hamas-run health ministry launched a wave of air that claimed it killed more than 430 people in two days.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said the troops have moved to the Netzarim corridor, which divides the north and south of the strip.
The new attack on Gaza marks the end of the fragile ceasefire contract that has been in effect since January.
Previously, the UN said two people, including one of the staff, were killed after an explosion with Dayalbara compounds.
A foreign ministry spokesman said it would begin an investigation, but Israel refused to take responsibility.
The IDF said it had launched “targeted ground activities” to create what it called “partial buffer between the north and south” of Gaza.
The BBC has seen evacuation orders issued to areas where troops are moving, including Beit Hanong in northern Gaza.
They have issued numerous orders to Gazan to leave the enormous area along three sides of the border of the territory’s land, suggesting that large ground work could soon be carried out.
The order sent panic among Palestinian families. Many of them were repeatedly driven out by the war and returned home during the ceasefire.
Family members have left on foot, carts and vehicles carrying what Israeli military can do to seek safety from the marked area.
In a video message Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a “final warning” to Palestinian territory calling for the remaining hostages to be held there.
Israel says Hamas still holds 59 hostages, of which 24 are believed to be alive.
Katz also repeated the call to Hamas’ end, saying that if neither demand is met, the alternative would be “complete destruction and devastation.”
The military’s move comes after the United Nations said that members of staff were killed when the Dail Rose compound was damaged on Wednesday.
UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) said “explosive weapons have been dropped or fired” on a building in an “isolated” location. He added that there was no confirmation of the nature of the incident or the type of guns used.
Unops head Jorge Moreira Da Silva believes “this is not an accident,” adding that the situation in Gaza is “merciless.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for a complete investigation.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “we have resumed fighting completely” and that ceasefire negotiations will take place “under fire.”
Air attacks continued on Wednesday, but the first fires were the heaviest since the fragile ceasefire and hostage exchange contract came into effect on January 19th.
Israel and Hamas disagreed with a way to adopt a ceasefire beyond the first stage, as negotiations were expected to begin six weeks ago.
Hamas did not agree to renegotiate a ceasefire against Israeli terms, but offered to free the living Americans (and the four bodies) in order to expand the current arrangement.
Israel blocked all food, fuel and medical supplies that entered Gaza at the beginning of March to put pressure on Hamas.
Now, Israel has shown an eagerness to use troops and strict military forces to sign the renegotiation ceasefire agreement Hamas is proposing with the United States.
Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023 in Israel killed around 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages.
Israel responded with a massive military attack that killed more than 48,500 Palestinians, and Hamasran Health Ministry said it caused massive destruction of homes and infrastructure.
