Israeli troops and tanks advanced into northern Gaza on Saturday, targeting areas previously avoided in the ongoing seven-month conflict, resulting in numerous Palestinian casualties, according to medics and residents.

In addition, Israeli forces seized ground in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, raising concerns in Cairo and Washington due to the high number of displaced people there.

Benny Gantz, a centrist war cabinet member, threatened to resign if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree to a post-war plan for Gaza by June 8.

The Israeli military reported recovering the body of Ron Binyamin, one of over 250 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, along with three other hostages found recently, Reuters reported.

Israel’s recent operations in northern Gaza are part of ongoing efforts to prevent Hamas from regrouping.

Written by B.C. Begley