Israel Resumes Air and Ground Operations in Gaza, Killing at Least 91
Key Developments:
- Hamas Condemns Offensive: Hamas has called the renewed military action a “dangerous violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
- Civilians Ordered to Evacuate: Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets instructing residents to evacuate from several areas.
- Trump Backs Israeli Military Action: Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed full support for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations.
Conflict Resumes After Ceasefire Breakdown: CAIRO – At least 91 Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded on Thursday following Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry. The attacks mark the resumption of full-scale military operations by Israel, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire.
Following weeks of relative calm, thousands of Gazans have again been displaced as Israeli forces launched renewed air and ground assaults against Hamas. Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets in residential areas, ordering evacuations from Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, Shejaia district in Gaza City, and towns on the eastern outskirts of Khan Yunis.
“War is back, displacement and death are back. Will we survive this round?” said Samed Sami, 29, who fled Shejaia and set up a tent for his family in an open-air camp.
Escalation in Ground Operations: The Israeli military confirmed that after sending tanks into central Gaza earlier in the week, it had now launched ground operations in the northern areas, particularly along the coastal route in Beit Lahiya. Hamas, which had not retaliated in the first 48 hours of the renewed assault, responded by firing rockets into Israel. Israeli authorities confirmed that sirens were activated in central areas following the attacks.
Palestinian medics reported that several houses were struck in the northern and southern sections of Gaza, with significant casualties.
Expansion of Buffer Zone: The Israeli military stated that its operations over the past 24 hours aimed to expand the buffer zone dividing Gaza’s northern and southern regions, known as the Netzarim corridor. Residents have been ordered to avoid the Salahuddin road, Gaza’s main north-south route, and instead use coastal roads for movement.
Trump Expresses Support for Israeli Actions: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump “fully supports” Israel’s resumption of air and ground attacks, placing blame on Hamas for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
“The president made it very clear to Hamas that if they did not release all of the hostages, there would be all hell to pay,” Leavitt said, adding that Hamas had “played games in the media with lives.”
High Casualties and Hamas Leadership Losses: Tuesday marked one of the deadliest days in the 17-month-long conflict, with over 400 Palestinians killed in airstrikes. Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted and killed top Hamas officials, including the de facto head of the Gaza government, the chief of security services, his aide, and the deputy head of the justice ministry.
Hamas condemned the Israeli military operation, particularly the incursions into the Netzarim corridor, calling it a “new and dangerous violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The group urged international mediators to intervene and uphold the ceasefire terms.
As violence intensifies, international diplomatic efforts to restore calm remain uncertain, with both sides continuing military engagement.
