Israel start "extensive ground operations" in Gaza
The Israeli military said on Sunday it had begun "extensive ground operations" in northern and southern Gaza, stepping up a new campaign in the enclave where Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes killed dozens overnight. Israel made its announcement after sources on both sides said there had been no progress in a new round of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Qatar. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the latest Doha talks included discussions on a truce and hostage deal as well as a proposal to end the war in return for the exile of Hamas fighters and the demilitarisation of the enclave — terms Hamas has previously rejected. The substance of the statement was in line with previous declarations from Israel, but the timing, as negotiators meet, offered some prospect of flexibility in Israel's position. A senior Israeli official said there had been no progress in the talks so far.
Israel's military said it conducted a preliminary wave of strikes on more than 670 targets in Gaza over the past week to support its ground operation, dubbed "Gideon's Chariots". Palestinian health authorities say hundreds of people have been killed including many women and children. Asked about the Doha talks, a Hamas official said: "Israel's position remains unchanged, they want to release the prisoners (hostages) without a commitment to end the war." He reiterated that Hamas was proposing releasing all Israeli hostages in return for an end to the war, the pull-out of Israeli troops, an end to a blockade on aid for Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel's declared goal in Gaza is the elimination of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, which attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing about 250 hostages. The Israeli military campaign has devastated the enclave, pushing nearly all residents from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.
Israeli strikes killed at least 130 Palestinians across Gaza overnight, health officials said on Sunday, as Israel said talks with Hamas included a proposal to end the war but sources on both sides said there had been no progress in the talks. The overnight airstrikes on Gaza hit as Israel prepares for a new ground offensive aimed at achieving "operational control" in parts of Gaza. Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 464 Palestinians were killed in the week to Sunday as a result of Israel's escalated bombardment. The deaths of at least 130 Palestinians overnight are in addition to that figure. "Complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by (overnight) Israeli bombardment," Khalil Al Deqran, Gaza health ministry spokesperson, told Reuters by phone. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the casualties. Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages and has approved plans that could involve seizing the entire Gaza strip and controlling aid.
"Hospitals are overwhelmed with a growing number of casualties, many are children," health ministry spokesman Deqran said. Gaza's healthcare system is barely operational because of repeated Israeli bombardment and raids on hospitals. The blockade on aid supplies has compounded its difficulties and worsened widespread hunger. Israel blames Hamas for stealing aid, which Hamas denies. Staff at Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest, urged people to donate blood. Hospital officials said they received 40 dead and dozens of wounded overnight because of continued Israeli strikes. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 75% of its ambulances had stopped operating because of fuel shortages. It warned that unless fuel is allowed in within 72 hours, all vehicles may stop. The Israeli military campaign has devastated the enclave, pushing nearly all residents from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities. — Reuters
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