Over the past three days, Israeli troops have bombed targets throughout Gaza, saying they are attacking the ruins and agents of Hamas. Israeli ground forces have occupied a major corridor from central Gaza, which they withdraw from the ceasefire and have expanded ground operations in northern and southern Gaza.
On Friday, the Israeli military bombed the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in central Gaza, saying it attacked militants there. The Israeli military said the building is no longer used as a medical center. Last year, Israeli soldiers had used the hospital as the foundation for months before withdrawing troops.
Hamas' military response to the new Israeli attack has been restricted so far. The group's military capabilities have been greatly reduced by the war, although people are still believed to order thousands of armed fighters. Israeli officials said Hamas has been using a ceasefire to reorganize, planning future combat and planting explosive devices.
On Thursday, Hamas drove three rockets to Israel for the first time in a few months, but all were intercepted or fell without casualties, a far cry from the obstacles that could have been caused in the early months of the war.
Israel hopes to force Hamas to release more hostages captured on October 7, 2023, attacking the Gaza war. According to the Israeli government, as many as 24 living prisoners and more than 30 other prisoners are still in Gaza.
Even before the ceasefire shutdown this week, Israel blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza to prevent the transport of food and medicine from reaching Palestinians who are still recovering from more than a year of hunger and wartime deprivation.
The Israeli military still has many options, if possible, upgrade it further.
In the latest operation, Israeli forces have not yet swept the Palestinian city in Gaza, splitting the enclave into two parts, or being forcibly evacuated northern Gaza, as they did in their 15-month campaign against Hamas.
Israel vows not to end the war in Gaza without the destruction of Hamas. Hamas said it was willing to hand over civilian responsibilities in the enclaves, but it refused to disband its battalions of armed fighters or send its leaders into exile.
Diplomats, including from the United States, hope to facilitate at least a partial agreement that brings the sides back to a ceasefire, free more hostages and allow humanitarian aid to start flowing into Gaza again.
