On Wednesday, Israel initiated its first ground operation since the recent cessation of a cease-fire with Hamas, successfully reclaiming a portion of a crucial corridor in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the capture of the southern Netzarim corridor, with plans to widen the existing buffer zone and commence operations in central and southern Gaza, according to military spokespeople.

This aggressive move was preceded by a stark warning from Defense Minister Israel Katz, who urged Palestinians to evacuate areas of conflict in Gaza as the IDF resumed its mission to eliminate Hamas. “Gaza residents, this is a final warning,” Katz stated. “The Air Force strikes against Hamas terrorists were just the first step.”

The resumption of hostilities by the Israeli Air Force began on Tuesday with multiple airstrikes that resulted in over 400 fatalities, as reported by the health ministry controlled by Hamas. Israel has accused Hamas of rejecting a US-supported peace proposal that would have exchanged an extension of the cease-fire for the release of additional hostages.

With control over the Netzarim corridor, which bisects Gaza, the IDF appears poised to isolate Hamas forces primarily located in the northern region. This area is also home to thousands of refugees who returned during the brief cease-fire and now face the prospect of displacement again.

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Katz also issued a warning about forthcoming IDF evacuation orders, emphasizing Israel’s objective to target Mohammed Sinwar, brother of the deceased Yahya Sinwar, who orchestrated the Oct. 7 attacks. “The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza and the second Sinwar will completely destroy it,” Katz declared, promising that Hamas “will pay the full price.”

Further airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in 20 additional deaths, including a United Nations staff member at the UN headquarters in Gaza City. Jorge Moreira da Silva, the executive director of the UN office for Project Services, condemned the attack, asserting that Israel was aware that the building was being used as a refugee shelter. “Israel knew that this was a UN premises, that people were living, staying and working there,” Silva stated at a conference in Brussels. “It is a compound. It is a very well-known place. This was not an accident,” he added, describing the situation in Gaza as “unconscionable.”

Hamas criticized the attacks as well, accusing Israel of stalling on progressing to the second phase of the cease-fire agreement, which would have involved the release of all surviving hostages in exchange for a military withdrawal from Gaza.

Back in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces severe criticism for resuming hostilities. Approximately 40,000 Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square against the decision, with additional protests occurring in Jerusalem. Concerns are growing among relatives and former hostages that the renewed conflict could endanger the lives of captives who have been held in Gaza for 530 days.

Einav Zangauker, a mother of one of the hostages and a critic of Netanyahu, urged protesters to encamp outside the IDF’s Kirya headquarters to voice their opposition to the resumption of war. “Netanyahu didn’t open the gates of hell on Hamas,” she remarked. “He opened the gates of hell on our loved ones.”

The embattled Prime Minister is also contending with widespread protests over his directive to dismiss Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, who was investigating alleged connections between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatar. Critics argue that both the decision to reengage in conflict and the dismissal of Bar are politically driven to consolidate support from the fragmented far-right and secure Netanyahu’s political survival.

Of the 59 hostages still in Gaza, at least 24 are believed to be alive, including 21-year-old Edan Alexander from New Jersey.