The Israeli military has again launched a ground operation in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip on Thursday. The actions are aimed at expanding the security zone and creating a partial buffer between the north and south of the enclave, the IDF Spokesperson’s Office said.
“Over the past 24 hours, IDF troops launched targeted ground actions in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip in order to expand the security zone and create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza,” the statement said.
The Israeli army said that during the operation, the troops expanded their control over the central part of the Netzarim corridor. It was also noted that the Golani Brigade will be stationed in the Southern Command area and will remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip.
Dozens killed in shelling
At least 35 Palestinians were killed and many were injured in overnight attacks carried out by the Israeli army in different parts of the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, seven people were killed in an Israeli strike on an Abu Dib family home in Beni Suheila locality near Khan Younis.
Several people were killed in an Israeli attack on the house of Abdurrahman al-Mejayd family in the Miraj neighbourhood of Khan Younis. Eight people were killed in an Israeli attack on the home of the Abu Deqqa family in the Abesan Al-Kabira neighbourhood in Khan Younus city, and three people were killed in an Israeli attack on the home of the Al-Ammur family in Al-Fekhari locality.
Another 10 people were killed in a strike on the Jabir family home in the Misbah neighbourhood in eastern Rafah. A house in the Al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Beit Lahia was also targeted by an Israeli attack, killing seven people.
On March 18, the IDF announced the resumption of military operations against Hamas. According to the latest figures, 230 people were killed and some 350 injured.
After that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that from now on all negotiations with Hamas will be held against the background of ongoing military attacks due to the refusal of Palestinians to release Israeli hostages.
A ceasefire was in effect in the Gaza Strip from January 19 to March 1 as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal saw the release of 30 Israeli hostages as well as 1,700 Palestinian prisoners.
Portuguese protested in defence of Gaza
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the Portuguese capital Lisbon for a mass demonstration called by Portuguese civil society organisations to condemn the resumption of Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip.
Demonstrators gathered in the centre of Lisbon wearing Palestinian keffiyehs and carrying signs reading: “Ethnic cleansing is not self-defence.”
