Middle East latest: Israeli forces are recapturing a key corridor that cuts Gaza in half

The Israeli military is retaking control of a key corridor that cuts off northern Gaza from the south, Israel’s military said, deepening its renewed offensive in Gaza. Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas on Tuesday in a wave of heavy strikes that have continued into Wednesday but at a lower intensity.

More than 400 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday, nearly two-thirds of them women and children, making it the deadliest day in Gaza after 17 months of war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry’s records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel’s defense minister warned Wednesday that attacks on Gaza would increase “with an intensity that you have not known” until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory. Hamas has yet to respond militarily, but Israel’s actions threaten to drag the sides back into all-out war.

Here’s the latest:

The Israeli military says air raid sirens have sounded in several areas of the country following a missile attack from Yemen.

The sirens and several explosions were heard early Thursday in Jerusalem, apparently the sounds of Israel’s interceptors in use. No injuries were reported. Police also reported sirens in central Israel.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels this week resumed missile attacks following the collapse of Israel’s ceasefire with Hamas but they did not immediately claim the attack on Thursday morning.