What to Know About Israel’s Renewed Ground Offensive in Gaza

Israel declared this week that it was expanding its ground offensive the Gaza Strip, vowing to seize swaths of the enclave in an effort to force the surrender of Hamas after more than 19 months of war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said Monday that Israeli troops could effectively take control of all of Gaza as part of the offensive. It was unclear what exactly that would mean or whether his government would follow through on the threat, which came amid a new and intense round of cease-fire negotiations as the Trump administration presses both sides to agree to a truce.

Some observers have suggested the announcements of new military maneuvers could be a negotiating ploy to pressure Hamas to make compromises.

The past few days have been particularly deadly for Palestinians in Gaza, which has been devastated by the war and a recent blockade on aid that has left many facing hunger.

How far have Israeli troops advanced?

For weeks, Mr. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have been threatening a massive escalation in Gaza unless Hamas agreed to Israel’s terms for a truce.