The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it started a series of ground operations in central and southern Gaza “over the past day” to create a buffer zone between the north and the south of the war-torn Palestinian territory.

Part of the operation includes expanding its control further to the centre in what is known as the Netzarim Corridor. The idea is to expand the security zone, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Telegram channel.

“The IDF will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel,” it posted.

The military decided to station a brigade in its southern command area. The unit will “remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said.

It comes after Israel launched a series of massive airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, killing hundreds and shattering a fragile ceasefire with Palestinian extremist group Hamas in place since mid-January.