On Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that its forces have restarted ground operations in central and southern Gaza Strip, with local health workers reporting that a second day of airstrikes has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Palestinians.
The resumed ground operations follow a day in which over 400 Palestinians died in airstrikes during one of the most deadly incidents since the conflict began, breaking a ceasefire that had mainly persisted since January.
The Israeli military announced that its actions have broadened Israel’s authority over the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza, and were a “targeted” operation intended to establish a limited buffer zone between the northern and southern regions of the enclave.
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The United Nations reported that an Israeli airstrike resulted in the death of a foreign staff member and injured five workers at a U.N. facility in central Gaza City on Wednesday. However, Israel refuted this claim, stating that it struck a Hamas location, where it had observed activities to launch attacks into Israeli territory.
Jorge Moreira da Silva, the executive director of the U.N. office for Project Services, stated: “Israel was aware that this was a U.N. facility where individuals were residing, staying, and working; it is a compound. It is an extremely familiar location.”
Israel, committed to eliminating Hamas, stated that its recent assault was “only the start.”
