Israel said Wednesday its troops retook part of a corridor that bisects Gaza, and its defense minister warned that attacks would intensify until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory.

Israel said it recaptured an area from which it withdrew in the recent cease-fire, in the most significant ground operation since the truce with Hamas collapsed.

The Israeli military says it is targeting Hamas "terror targets", but eyewitnesses describe a nightmare scenario.