Israel Intensifies Ground Offensive in Gaza

Israel’s military intensified its ground operations across the Gaza Strip on March 23, urging residents to flee areas targeted by the offensive in Rafah city, nearly a week into a renewed assault on the Hamas-controlled territory.

The latest evacuation notice comes amid escalating violence, including a flare-up in Lebanon and missile strikes launched from Yemen. Despite calls for a return to a January ceasefire, Israeli troops have redeployed to various parts of Gaza.

In a statement on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed the launch of an offensive aimed at "striking terrorist organizations" in Rafah, which was previously targeted during a major Israeli operation last year. Adraee also issued a message urging Palestinians in the Tal al-Sultan district to leave the "dangerous combat zone" and head further north.

Amid the offensive, 19-year-old Iman al-Bardawil, displaced from northern Gaza, spoke about the dire conditions in a charity kitchen in Khan Yunis, noting that many displaced families, like hers, are struggling to afford basic necessities. "We are in the month of Ramadan, and people are forced to come here for food and drink," she said. "There is nothing left."

The situation has worsened as Israel has restricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, severed electricity supplies, and cut water desalination services, exacerbating the hardships for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.

As part of its renewed military operations, Israel’s military expanded its presence in Beit Hanun in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas militants to secure more territory. On Friday, Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the army to "seize more territory," suggesting that Israel could annex parts of Gaza if Hamas fails to meet Israeli demands.

Hamas, in response, accused Israel of endangering the hostages held by Palestinian militants, with many families of captives advocating for a ceasefire, noting that most hostages released alive were freed during truce periods.

Israel's air campaign also led to the death of senior Hamas political official Salah al-Bardawil and his wife in a strike on a displacement camp in Khan Yunis on Saturday. Bardawil is the third Hamas political bureau member killed in Israeli air strikes since last week.

The violence has spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where Israeli air strikes on Saturday targeted Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, in response to rocket fire. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least seven deaths, including in a strike on Tyre, which targeted a Hezbollah official.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backing Hamas, have launched several missiles at Israel. Early Sunday, Israel intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, marking another escalation in the conflict.

Amid the ongoing violence, protests erupted in Israel on Saturday, with crowds calling for an end to the war and the return of hostages, carrying signs that read "No more bloodshed" and "Stop the war, Now."

Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, the war has claimed over 50,000 lives in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, while 1,218 people, mostly civilians, have died in Israel.