Israel army begins 'extensive ground ops' under expanded Gaza campaign

Intensified assault comes amid concern over worsening conditions due to aid blockade

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The Israeli army announced "extensive ground operations" on May 18 as part of its newly expanded campaign in the Gaza Strip, where rescuers reported that dozens were killed in a wave of Israeli strikes.

The announcement came just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that Israel was open to striking a deal with Hamas that involved "ending the fighting" in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The military said that over the past day, troops had "begun extensive ground operations throughout the northern and southern Gaza Strip", adding that they had "eliminated dozens of terrorists, dismantled terrorist infrastructure, and are currently being deployed in key positions".

Israel says its ramped-up campaign is aimed at freeing hostages and defeating Hamas, but as the early stages of the operation got under way on May 17, Israel and the group were entering indirect talks in Qatar aimed at hammering out a deal.

In a statement on May 18, Mr. Netanyahu's office said "the negotiation team in Doha is working to exhaust every possibility for a deal—whether according to the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the fighting", referring to US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been involved in previous discussions.

Such a deal, according to Mr. Netanyahu's statement, "would include the release of all the hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip".