The Israeli ground forces seize a part of the Gaza Corridor, increase pressure on Hamas

The Israeli land forces pushed the deepest in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, as parts of the main corridor that displaced the Palestinian pocket took over the most important ground process since the ceasefire collapsed with Hamas.

The operation followed a large -scale Israeli air strike in Gaza, which started early on Tuesday morning, End the fragile truce Between Israel and Hamas, which has been held since mid -January. More than 400 people were killed, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

The Israeli army said that the soldiers began “targeted ground activities” along the road – known as the Netzarim Pass – to create a “partial buffer zone” between Northern and South Gaza. The army said that the Israeli forces expanded their control “to the center of Netzarim.”

Israel has not returned to the war on a large scale in Gaza, which would correspond to the severity of the 15 -month aerial bombardment and the invasion of the Earth. But by gradually intensifying attacks, Israeli leaders seemed to be trying to force Hamas to reach more appropriate conditions for settlement.

In a televised speech, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, pledged that Israel would only negotiate with the attacks on Hamas. He said that the latest wave of air strikes was “just the beginning.”

“From now on, Israel will work against Hamas with an increasing force,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a televised statement. “From now on, negotiations will only take place under the fire.”

During the 15 -month campaign against Hamas, the Israeli forces were arrested The area surrounding the Netzarim Corridor was strengthenedWhich cuts almost the pocket in half. The road control enabled the Israeli army to prevent hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced from returning to their homes in northern Gaza.

The Israeli forces gradually Withdraw from Netzarim After the armistice entered with Hamas, in mid -January. The Palestinians He returned to the house a lot In emotional scenes, you often find a few rubble as their homes and neighborhoods were once stood up.