The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a renewed ground offensive in central and southern Gaza, regaining control of a strategically significant land corridor. This development follows intense aerial bombardments that killed over 400 people and effectively ended a fragile two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas. The IDF announced the new "pinpointed" ground operations through an official statement, explaining that the military action aims to expand a security zone and establish a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza.
 

Escalation Following Ceasefire Collapse

The ground assault began shortly after Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations across Gaza. According to the IDF, its troops seized control of the Netzarim Corridor, a critical route that divides Gaza into two sectors. The Times of Israel reported that soldiers from the 252nd Division advanced across roughly half of the corridor, reaching Salah a-Din road — a key artery running through the Gaza Strip. In a parallel move, Israel's military deployed its elite Golani Brigade to the southern Gaza border. The unit’s strategic positioning indicates preparations for potential expanded operations inside Gaza in the coming days.
 

An IDF spokesperson emphasized that military operations would continue to dismantle terrorist organizations operating within Gaza and safeguard Israeli citizens from ongoing security threats. Israel's renewed military actions follow accusations that Hamas repeatedly refused to comply with proposals for releasing hostages and had turned down mediator suggestions aimed at maintaining the ceasefire. Conversely, Hamas has blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for breaching the truce through what it described as "reckless and unilateral" military actions that endangered civilian lives.
 

Tensions Rise as Israel Issues a Warning

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Gaza residents, urging them to follow the advice of US President Donald Trump by rejecting Hamas’s influence. Katz’s statement marked a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure against Hamas. "Residents of Gaza, this is the last warning. Take the advice of the President of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you — including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to," Katz stated. The increased troop deployment and renewed airstrikes have heightened fears of escalating conflict, raising concerns that both sides may be drawn into an all-out war once again.
 

Aftermath of the Ceasefire Collapse

The ceasefire agreement, which lasted two months, had brought brief respite to Gaza's war-weary residents. During this period, humanitarian aid entered the region, providing vital relief for Palestinians suffering from severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The ceasefire also facilitated the release of dozens of hostages held captive for over 15 months. However, the recent surge in hostilities has reversed those gains. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the offensive, stating that the war would continue until Hamas’s governing authority and military infrastructure are completely dismantled. Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces would sustain their operations to ensure long-term security for Israeli citizens.
 

As tensions continue to escalate, international observers have expressed growing concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Aid organizations have warned that renewed violence may worsen the already fragile conditions, further endangering civilians in the region. The ongoing conflict underscores the complex and volatile nature of the Israel-Gaza crisis, with both diplomatic efforts and military strategies failing to produce lasting peace. The fate of Gaza's residents remains uncertain as Israel’s intensified ground offensive continues to unfold.