Hundreds Dead in Gaza as Israel Launches Extensive New Offensive

The Israeli military has announced the commencement of ‘extensive ground operations’ in both the northern and southern parts of Gaza, escalating a new campaign in the enclave. Palestinian health authorities reported that Israeli bombardments killed at least 130 people overnight. This announcement comes after sources from both sides indicated no progress in the latest round of indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Qatar. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that recent talks in Doha included discussions on a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement, along with a proposal to end the war in exchange for the expulsion of Hamas fighters and the demilitarization of Gaza—terms previously rejected by Hamas. Despite these ongoing negotiations, an Israeli official stated no progress has been made. In the past week, Israel targeted over 670 Hamas sites in Gaza to support its ground operations, codenamed ‘Chariots of Gideon,’ claiming dozens of Hamas fighters were killed. Palestinian health authorities report hundreds of deaths, including many women and children. A Hamas official reiterated their stance: full release of Israeli captives in exchange for ending the conflict, withdrawing Israeli troops, lifting the blockade on Gaza, and releasing Palestinian prisoners. Since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which left 1,218 Israelis dead, mostly civilians, Israel’s counter-offensive has resulted in at least 53,339 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to the latest data from Hamas’ Health Ministry, considered reliable by the UN.