Colonel Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces spokesman for Arabic media, said Monday that the IDF is “returning to intense operations to dismantle the capabilities of the terrorist organizations” in a large area of the strip that includes the destroyed cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.

“For your safety, move immediately to the shelters in Al Mawasi,” the spokesman warned over social media, referring to the coastal humanitarian zone north of Rafah.

It’s been two weeks since Israel resumed hostilities with Hamas, ending approximately two months of peace. The Israeli government expressed dissatisfaction with the organization’s sluggish schedule for releasing the remaining hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

Of the 251 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 58 people remain held by the terrorist group, including one American citizen. The Israeli military believes 34 of the hostages are dead.

The IDF seems determined to inflict as much damage as possible and take control of more territory before re-entering a ceasefire, hoping to force Hamas into a rapid release of its final Israeli hostages.

Post-ceasefire bombings are intensely scrutinized by international bodies due to the high casualties reported — more than 800 deaths have been reported in this latest round of attacks.

The United Nations is accusing IDF soldiers of killing “eight Palestinian medics, six civil defence first responders and a UN staff member in an attack in southern Gaza” during recent engagements in southern Gaza.

“They were killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. We demand answers and justice,” U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said in a Monday statement.

Palestinian officials claim over 50,000 people have been killed in the conflict since Oct. 7.

Hamas leader Khalil al Hayya said over the weekend that the terrorist group accepted a ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt last week.

“Two days ago, we received a proposal from the mediators in Egypt and Qatar. We dealt with it positively and accepted it,” said Hayya. “We hope that the occupation will not undermine [the deal].”

Israel did not accept the deal and instead came back with a counterproposal, allegedly with the backing of the U.S. government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Sunday that his Cabinet was aiming to “create the best conditions for the release of our hostages” by increasing the “pressure” on Hamas.

NETANYAHU FACES INTERNAL ‘CIVIL WAR’ AS IDF BOMBARDS GAZA

At the same time the prime minister is waging war in Gaza, he is fighting a political battle over his decision to remove Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

Netanyahu is attempting to oust Bar amid an investigation into two of the prime minister’s aides accused of illicitly working with the Qatari government at the same time they held government positions. Critics claim it’s a naked act of punishment for allowing the investigation to continue, while Netanyahu says it’s due to a lack of trust.

Despite a petition to halt Bar’s removal until at least April 8 when the court will examine the matter, Netanyahu announced his intention to appoint former Navy Chief Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit as the new head of the Shin Bet.

“He has many years of experience, and I am convinced that he will advance the organization according to its mission and will be loyal to the State of Israel,” the Israeli prime minister said.

The decision was immediately criticized by critics as an unacceptable act against the basic processes of the law.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara previously told Netanyahu that it is “prohibited to appoint a new head of Shin Bet, and interviews for the position should not be held.”

It also generated backlash in the U.S. over Sharvit’s past writings accusing Trump of “shirking [American] global leadership” on environmental policy in a January op-ed.

“There has never been a better supporter for the State of Israel than President Trump,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said on social media. “The statements made by Eli Sharvit about President Trump and his polices will create unnecessary stress at a critical time. My advice to my Israeli friends is change course and do better vetting.”

Anonymous sources from within Netanyahu’s office indicate the prime minister may soon withdraw the nomination almost as suddenly as it was made.