Hamas condemns Israeli ground operation in Gaza as ceasefire violation

Gaza: Hamas said that the Israeli army's ground operation in the central Gaza Strip constitutes a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement, accusing the United States of providing cover for the military manoeuvres.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said in a press statement that "the advance of Israeli military vehicles toward the Netzarim Corridor and the isolation of northern Gaza from the south undermines the ceasefire agreement with US support," calling on mediators to take responsibility for the situation.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions are poised to retaliate, with a senior official stating they "are prepared to respond to this move," hinting at the possibility of renewed attacks against Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

Regarding ongoing negotiations, Abu Zuhri stated that "there is no progress in contacts with mediators because the occupation refuses to engage in negotiations."

He reaffirmed that Hamas "will not release the Israeli prisoners unless the occupation commits to ending hostilities, fully withdraws from Gaza, and lifts the blockade on the Strip."

The military said in a statement that Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave.

According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," and Israeli troops have "taken control and re-established their presence up to the centre of the Netzarim Corridor."

Israel has launched a targeted ground operation in central and southern Gaza, taking control of the Netzarim Corridor, a military buffer zone in central Gaza. This move comes shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes.

(inputs from IANS)