Gaza, March 18— Israeli forces have retaken the Netzarim Corridor, splitting Gaza in half and restricting movement between the north and south, after
killing 436 Palestinians, including 183 children, in renewed strikes as the war resumed on Tuesday.
The death toll has reached 49,547, with 112,719 injured. However, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports the overall death toll at more than 61,700, accounting for thousands presumed dead under the rubble.
"Over the past 24 hours, forces have begun a focused ground operation in the center of the Gaza Strip and in the south with the aim of expanding the security area," the Israeli military wrote on X, confirming the corridor's recapture.
“The corridor, from which Israel withdrew last month under a ceasefire deal, is now part of a renewed ground offensive aimed at creating a "partial buffer" in the Strip.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the offensive was "only the beginning," warning that all ceasefire talks would now occur "under fire."
The renewed assault also killed a Bulgarian UN worker, the country’s foreign ministry confirmed.
“An explosion struck a building housing UN personnel, killing the Bulgarian staff member and wounding five others.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the attack, calling for a “full investigation.”
"The locations of all UN premises are known to the parties to the conflict, who are bound by international law to protect them and maintain their absolute inviolability," his statement read.
The UN reported that 280 of its personnel have been killed in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that Gaza's hospitals are struggling to cope with the rising deaths.
"Due to the recent suspension of humanitarian aid into Gaza, stocks of medical supplies have dropped significantly and on top of this, hospital staff are struggling to manage the sharp increase of casualties," the ICRC said.
Israel’s two-week blockade leading up to the assault has further strained Gaza’s resources, leaving Palestinians with dwindling supplies.