Israel Launches New Offensive In Gaza

Israeli forces launched an expanded ground offensive across the Gaza Strip over the weekend, with strikes killing more than 100 people in the past 24 hours, amid reports of hospital closures and a growing humanitarian catastrophe, the Times of Israel reported. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Sunday the beginning of “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” a new major military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, freeing hostages, and establishing long-term control over Gaza.  

According to the IDF, more than 670 Hamas targets were hit over the past week, including weapons depots, tunnels, and command sites. It added that it has killed “dozens of terrorists” and is now holding strategic areas inside Gaza. 

Palestinian health officials reported at least 103 deaths since Saturday, bringing the death toll to more than 400 in the past week. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said three hospitals in northern Gaza – including the Indonesian Hospital – are now out of service due to heavy Israeli bombardment.  

Over the weekend, reports emerged that the strikes killed Zakaria Sinwar, brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, along with three of his children.  

His reported death came shortly after Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath reported that the body of Muhammad Sinwar – Zakaria’s brother and de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza – was found in a tunnel bombed by Israel, along with 10 aides. 

Israeli officials have not officially confirmed the report. 

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities said they are advancing a plan to create humanitarian corridors and aid zones in southern Gaza.  

The proposal, involving a new body called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, would distribute aid at a limited number of secured points, potentially restricting civilian movement. Aid groups criticized the initiative as coercive and inadequate. 

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved restarting aid until the new plan could be implemented, Axios reported. Aid deliveries were mostly halted in March. 

Amid the ongoing strikes, new peace talks mediated by Qatar took place Saturday, in which Hamas offered a 60-day truce in exchange for releasing nine hostages and allowing in 400 aid trucks daily, the BBC added. 

Israel, meanwhile, has demanded proof of life for the remaining hostages and has so far refused to commit to a full withdrawal or an end to the war, the terms demanded by Hamas.