Gaza: The Israeli military on Wednesday urged all Palestinians from Gaza City and head south as it pushes forward with a fresh offensive across the north, south and centre of the embattled territory that has killed dozens of people over the past 48 hours. The fresh offensive threatens to derail monthslong ceasefire talks as mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar met Israeli officials in Doha for negotiations.
Israel claims its motives for a renewed offensive is to pursue Hamas fighters that are regrouping in various parts of Gaza after nine months of the war in the besieged territory. Heavy strikes in recent days along the length of the territory are likely to be aimed at putting more pressure on Hamas in the ceasefire talks. Israel’s military chief Herzi Halevi, in a visit to central Gaza, said forces were operating in different ways, in multiple parts of the territory “to carry out a very important mission: pressure.