Israel said its troops retook part of a corridor that bisects Gaza, and its defense minister warned that attacks would increase “with an intensity that you have not known” until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory.
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Israel announced renewed ground operations in Gaza on Wednesday and issued what it called a “last warning” to residents of the territory to return hostages and remove Hamas from power.
“Over the past 24 hours, IDF (military) forces have begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south of the Strip,” the army said in a statement.
“Residents of Gaza, this is the last warning,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
“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.”
He was referring to a warning earlier this month by US President Donald Trump, who said: “To the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!”
More than 400 Palestinians were killed — nearly two-thirds of them women and children — making Tuesday the deadliest day in Gaza after 17 months of war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry said. Its records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims — destroying Hamas and freeing all host