The Israeli military this morning imposed a complete ban on traffic along Salah al-Din Road, the main highway stretching from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip. The restriction follows the announcement of “targeted” ground military operations in Palestinian territory the previous day.

“In the last 24 hours, [Israeli] troops have launched a limited ground operation in central and southern Gaza […]. For your safety, movement between northern and southern Gaza, and vice versa, via Salah al-Din Road is prohibited,” wrote Avichay Adraee, the Arabic-speaking spokesperson for the Israeli military, on X.

“Movement from the northern Gaza Strip to the south is only permitted via the Al-Rashid coastal road,” added Colonel Adraee, without specifying whether travel from south to north along this route was allowed.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for clarification.

An official from the Hamas-led Interior Ministry in Gaza told AFP that the Israeli military closed the Netzarim crossing yesterday, the main route connecting Gaza City to the southern part of the territory via Salah al-Din Road.

“Israeli tanks” were deployed at the intersection “after the withdrawal of U.S. security special forces yesterday (Wednesday) morning,” the official added, referring to American private security personnel deployed in February following the Israeli military’s withdrawal as part of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on January 19 between Israel and Hamas.

After several weeks of deadlock in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the extension of this ceasefire, Israel resumed a large-scale military operation on Monday night into Tuesday, carrying out a series of deadly bombardments.