Israel Begins Major Ground Offensive in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks

Israel's military has launched a "comprehensive" ground offensive in Gaza, where the latest 24-hour attacks are reported to have claimed over 140 fatalities. Conflicting reports are coming simultaneously from the negotiations in Doha on a ceasefire.

» Published: May 18 2025

Israel Begins Major Ground Offensive in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks
Photo: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP/TT

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In the official statement from the military (IDF), both soldiers and reservists are included in the large-scale operation, which concerns the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip, the military writes on X.

In the statement from the IDF, it was stated that 670 targets in Gaza have been attacked in the past week. At the same time, reports that the Israeli military is preparing for a ceasefire, following indirect negotiations with the terrorist-stamped Hamas in Doha, are being denied.

On Sunday evening, Israel issued evacuation orders for several areas in Gaza. The reason was that the areas would be attacked by the Israeli military.

"This is a preparatory and final warning before an attack", the military said, urging residents to take themselves "west" of the al-Mawasi area.

Talks are ongoing

At the same time, the parties confirm that talks are still ongoing in Qatar's capital Doha. The basis is the proposal presented by the US envoy Steve Witkoff, among other things, includes a point about the Israelis being held hostage by the terrorist-stamped Hamas being released.

The goal from the US side is to reach a temporary ceasefire, with the hope of then reaching the goal of ending the war and releasing all hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have urged Israel's envoy to remain at the negotiating table.

In Gaza, the serious situation is being exacerbated after the intense attacks on, among other things, Jabalia, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and al-Mawasi.

All public hospitals in northern Gaza are thus out of operation, the authorities announced on Sunday. Earlier in the week, the European Hospital in southern Gaza was also forced to close due to Israeli attacks.

Over 140 people have been killed since midnight, Sunday night, according to medical sources in Gaza on Sunday evening.

Leaked plan: Divide Gaza

The figures for the dead and wounded usually include both civilians and combatants and are difficult to confirm. Images taken in Gaza on Sunday show several children who were killed in Israel's latest attack.

According to a leak to the British Sunday Times, Israel is planning to "divide" Gaza into three separate districts, separated from each other by large Israeli-occupied areas.

Gazans will be prohibited from passing through the areas under Israeli military control, the newspaper writes.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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