Israeli troops recapture Netzarim Corridor that cuts Gaza in half

AP , Thursday 20 Mar 2025

Israel said Wednesday its troops retook part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceasefire that began in January.

Displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings traveling from Beit Hanoun to Jabaliya, a day after Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip. AP

The truce was shattered Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 500 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

The advances on the ground by Israel on Wednesday — which included sending more troops to southern Gaza — threatened to drag the sides into all-out war again. The ceasefire had given war-weary Palestinians some respite, allowed a much-needed surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israel's army also announced on Wednesday the closure of the Salahuddin road ,the main north-south route in Gaza.

A spokesman for Hamas said Israel’s closure of the Salahuddin road, is part of Israel’s “blockade on Gaza.”

“The Zionist occupation, under American cover and international silence, is destroying life in Gaza and reneging on the signed agreement,” Abdel-Latif al-Qanou said in a statement Wednesday.

Israel has closed all Gaza’s border crossings since the beginning of the month and banned the entry of food and other supplies. There had been a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza during the ceasefire.

Al-Qanoua said Hamas is willing to engage with any proposal leading to starting negotiations on implementing the ceasefire's second phase.

He said the only person who benefits from resuming the war is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while it “threatens the life of the captives in Gaza."

Both Israel and the United States blame the renewed hostilities on Hamas’ refusal to release more captives before negotiations on ending the war proceed — which was not part of the ceasefire agreement.