Overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza reportedly killed at least 70 people. The strikes follow stalled ceasefire talks with Hamas, which refuses to adjust the agreement. Israel aims to secure a buffer zone and release 59 hostages held by Hamas.

At least 70 people were reported killed in overnight airstrikes in Gaza on Thursday, according to news agencies citing Hamas-run Palestinian health sources. The Reuters news agency reported that Israeli strikes targeted several homes in both northern and southern areas of Gaza. However, the death toll has not been independently verified.

The Israeli military has not yet commented on these developments. However, on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that troops had started "targeted ground activities in central and southern Gaza" to expand a security buffer zone. According to the IDF, troops "took control and re-extended their control to the center of the Netzarim corridor."

Israeli forces had previously withdrawn from the corridor — a military zone dividing Gaza into northern and southern sections — as part of a ceasefire agreement reached in January. The IDF has also denied reports of striking a UN compound in Deir el Balah, where the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) claimed at least one staff member had been killed.

Israel resumed strikes on Tuesday, resulting in over 400 deaths, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run health authorities. In January, Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement for the first phase of a broader ceasefire, which involved the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While the first phase proceeded largely as planned, it expired earlier this March, and subsequent phases of the ceasefire agreement have faced significant disagreements.

Hamas has rejected Israel's demands to alter the ceasefire agreement since the truce's first phase ended. In response, Israel has vowed to intensify its operations until Hamas releases the 59 hostages it holds — 35 of whom are believed to be dead — and relinquishes control of the territory.