Israel resumes ground operation in Gaza Strip, killing 37 more Palestinians

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said in its Telegram channel that it resumed ground operations in the Gaza Strip.

“Over the past day, IDF troops began targeted ground activities in the central and southern Gaza Strip in order to expand the security zone and to create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor,” the IDF said, Caliber.Az reports.

“Simultaneously, it was decided that the Golani Brigade would be stationed in the Southern Command area and will remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip,” the statement reads.

The IDF said it will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Gaza reports that at least 37 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in predawn attacks by Israel in the north and south of the territory.The latest killings will add to the Gaza Health Ministry’s death toll of some 436 Palestinians, including 183 children.

Notably, the latest escalation in Gaza follows the collapse of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which ended in the early hours of March 18. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have intensified across the enclave, with reports of heavy bombardments in both northern and southern Gaza.

Israel’s military campaign comes amid warnings from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a widening conflict. In addition to the ongoing assault on Gaza, Netanyahu has signaled a potential escalation in the occupied West Bank, describing the situation as a “larger and stronger front.”

The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting at least 49,547 confirmed deaths and 112,719 injuries since the start of the war. However, Gaza’s Government Media Office estimates the real death toll at more than 61,700, citing thousands still buried under the rubble.

By Khagan Isayev