Israel announced Wednesday it has sent troops back into Gaza with a "focused ground operation," as its roughly 18-month ceasefire with Hamas further deteriorates. 

"Over the past 24 hours, IDF forces have begun a focused ground operation in the center of the Gaza Strip and in the south with the aim of expanding the security area and creating a partial buffer between the north and south of the Strip," the IDF wrote in a post on X.

The operation follows Israel earlier this week launching airstrikes into Hamas-run Gaza, with a stall in hostage returns between the sides appearing to be the breaking point in their ceasefire.  

Roughly 400 people were killed in the attack, according to reports. 

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz put out a video Wednesday addressed to Gaza residents that reads: "Return the hostages and remove Hamas – the alternative is total devastation.”