Goa, March 20 -- Calling for the release of captives and the overthrow of Hamas, Israel has launched new ground operations in Gaza. Significant casualties and displacement are caused by airstrikes that persist in spite of international appeals for a truce. Hamas firmly maintains its current ceasefire terms while remaining amenable to talks. Israel issued what it described as a "final warning" to Palestinians living in Gaza to return hostages and overthrow Hamas, and it has begun new ground operations in the region.

The worst round of Israeli airstrikes since the brief ceasefire broke in January has been followed by this latest attack. "To widen the security zone and create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza, Israeli forc...