The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that it launched "a targeted ground operation" in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
According to the military's statement, it started ground activities in order to "expand the security perimeter and create a partial barrier between the northern and southern Gaza." Additionally, the IDF decided to deploy the Golani Brigade to the southern Gaza border to be "on standby" for future actions in the Strip.
The day before, Israel restarted strikes against Hamas in Gaza, putting an end to the fragile ceasefire that took effect on January 19. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that "from now on, negotiations will be conducted only under fire."
