The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Wednesday that it had carried out “targeted ground activities” in Gaza and had partially regained control of the strategic Netzarim Corridor, which divides the strip.
The announcement comes a day after Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza that ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
“Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces have begun a focused ground operation in the center of the Gaza Strip and in the south,” IDF’s post on X reads.
במהלך היממה האחרונה, כוחות צה״ל החלו בפעילות קרקעית ממוקדת במרכז רצועת עזה ובדרומה במטרה להרחיב את מרחב האבטחה ולייצר חיץ חלקי בין צפון הרצועה לדרומה. במסגרת הפעולה הכוחות השתלטו והרחיבו את שליטתם מחדש עד מרכז ציר נצרים>> pic.twitter.com/I5YatVSOcS
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 19, 2025
The IDF said its recent operations aim to expand the so-called “security perimeter” between Gaza and Israel and establish a “partial buffer zone” separating the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
Western aid officials reported that a private security company responsible for securing checkpoints in the Netzarim Corridor withdrew overnight, allowing Israeli troops to move in at dawn on Wednesday. Officials said four Israeli bases have been reoccupied, making travel across Gaza nearly impossible.
Israel’s recent military action comes as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz released a video message to Gaza residents warning that the return of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power are necessary to avoid further escalation.
This is a message to the residents of Gaza: The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza, and the second Sinwar will bring its complete ruin. Soon, the evacuation of the population from combat zones will resume, and what follows will be far more severe—you will pay the full price. Return the… pic.twitter.com/zkLCwXHX43
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) March 19, 2025
“This is the final warning,” Katz said. “What comes next will be much harsher, and you will bear the full consequences. Soon, the evacuation of the population from combat zones will resume. If all Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not removed from Gaza, Israel will act with force beyond anything you have ever seen.”
Tuesday’s airstrikes were the deadliest in Gaza since the early weeks of the war, killing more than 400 Palestinians, including many women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israeli strikes on Wednesday killed about 20 more people, bringing the death toll to 436, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense service said.
