Storyline: Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the Israeli military said in a statement released on Wednesday. According to the Israeli military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. It said that during the operation, Israeli troops "took control and re-established their presence up to the center of the Netzarim Corridor," a military buffer zone established by Israeli soldiers in central Gaza during the war. The Israeli military did not announce a full-scale ground campaign like the one launched in October 2023, which lasted 15 months until a truce took hold on Jan. 19. However, it said that troops from the Golani infantry brigade would be stationed in the Southern Command area, near Gaza's southern border, and "will remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip." In a video message on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the residents of Gaza that "the evacuation of the population from the battle zones" in Gaza will "begin again soon." Hamas said on Wednesday that the Israeli army's ground operation in the central Gaza Strip constitutes a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement, accusing the United States of providing cover for the Israeli military maneuvers. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said in a press statement that "the advance of Israeli military vehicles toward the Netzarim Corridor, and the isolation of northern Gaza from the south undermines the ceasefire agreement with U.S. support," calling on mediators to "assume their responsibilities in restraining the brutal aggression". At least 14 Palestinians were killed and over 30 wounded in an Israeli airstrike that struck a crowd of mourners in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday evening, according to Gaza health authorities. The strike hit the Salatin area of Beit Lahia during a gathering to mourn victims of earlier Israeli attacks, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Israel's military did not immediately comment on the incident. Gaza health authorities reported over 430 Palestinian deaths and more than 670 injuries since Tuesday, when Israel resumed strikes, ending a weeks-long ceasefire that began on Jan. 19. Among the dead are more than 170 children and 80 women, according to Gaza officials. Also on Wednesday, a United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) staff member was killed when two U.N. guesthouses in Deir al Balah were hit in strikes. Five other U.N. personnel were seriously injured. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the death of the U.N. staff member, condemning all attacks on U.N. personnel and calling for a full investigation, according to Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general, on the same day. Asked about the resumption of Israeli attacks, Haq said the U.N. chief wants a return to the ceasefire. Shotlist: Gaza Strip - March 18, 2025: 1. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble; people walking on rubble; Gaza Strip - March 18, 2025: 2. Various of destroyed buildings, rubble; people retrieving items; 3. Various of burnt vehicle; Gaza Strip - March 18, 2025: 4. Various of Palestinians fleeing; 5. Various of vehicle loaded with luggage running; FILE: U.N. Headquarters, New York City - July 24, 2024: 6. U.N. headquarters, flags; U.N. Headquarters, New York City - March 19, 2025: 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General (with reporter asking question) (starting with shot 8): "The secretary-general has made it very clear, and you saw the statements he's put out on this that he wants a return to the ceasefire." (Reporter: Is that a violation of the ceasefire deal?) "Any conflict does not go in conformity with the cessation of hostilities." FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021: 8. National flag of Israel; FILE: Erez Crossing, Israel - Jan 18, 2024: 9. Israel's military vehicle passing Erez Crossing; 10. Israeli tank moving; FILE: Northern Israel - Oct 15, 2023: 11. Various of Israeli tanks, national flag on tank. [Restrictions: For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use]