Israel launches 'ground operation' to take control of Gaza's Netzarim corridor

The Israeli military said on March 19 that it had resumed ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand Tel Aviv's control over the Netzarim corridor.

In addition to expanding control of the Netzarim corridor, the Israeli military said the ground operation also aims to create a partial buffer zone between the north and south of the Gaza Strip.

According to The Guardian , this move is a significant escalation in Israel's new attack on Gaza, coming less than 36 hours after a wave of massive airstrikes that killed more than 400 people.

Israeli army begins new ground operation in Gaza

The Netzarim Corridor is an area in the Gaza Strip occupied by the Israeli military since 2023. The corridor divides the Gaza Strip into two halves, located just south of Gaza City and stretching from the Gaza-Israel border to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) considers the corridor essential for carrying out raids in northern and central Gaza, as well as safely delivering aid into the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision to resume attacks in Gaza came after Hamas rejected a proposal to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire by 30-60 days.

Israeli military tanks are positioned along Israel's southern border with the northern Gaza Strip on March 19, 2025.

Hamas said the ground operation and incursion into the Netzarim corridor were a “new and dangerous violation” of the ceasefire between it and Israel. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement and called on the mediators to “fulfil their responsibilities”.

"Hamas does not close the door to negotiations, but we insist that there is no need for new agreements," Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said on March 19.

The US State Department has criticised Hamas for continuing hostilities in the Gaza Strip, while leaving open a US “bridge” proposal to extend the ceasefire and free the hostages. “The window of opportunity is still there, but it is moving very quickly,” a State Department spokesperson said.

The United Nations said an Israeli air strike in central Gaza City on March 19 killed one UN staff member and injured five others. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a full investigation and condemned all attacks on UN staff.

French President Emmanuel Macron and King Abdullah II of Jordan also called on March 19 to end the fighting between Hamas and Israel through diplomatic means. The air campaign in the Gaza Strip has caused unrest in Israel, including recent protests in Jerusalem.

Analysts said Israel had launched new airstrikes to "break the deadlock". Professor Danny Orbach, a military historian at Hebrew University (Israel), assessed: "There is a very good reason why Israel does not want to move to phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement. If it accepts, Hamas will remain in Gaza and remain in power, while Israel will also have to lift the siege. There is a complete disagreement between the interests of the two sides".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-phat-dong-chien-dich-tren-bo-de-kiem-soat-hanh-lang-netzarim-o-gaza-185250320072823579.htm