At least 14 people have been killed in Gaza overnight as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck an alleged Hamas military site in northern areas of the strip, the IDF claimed in a statement posted on March 19 via its media channels.

The early morning strike on the Gaza Strip is the second in as many days on the besieged Arab exclave. The second operation followed a major Israeli airstrike campaign on the Gaza Strip during the night of March 17-18 that resulted in more than 420 deaths and approximately 600 injuries, according to figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry. 

"Overnight, the IDF struck a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to fire projectiles at Israeli territory", the IDF announced.

“...the Israeli Navy struck several vessels in the coastal area of Gaza. These vessels were intended to be used for terrorist activities by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad,” the statement added.

The strike comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the media in which he outlined Israel’s new stance on hostage negotiations with Hamas.

“From today on, all negotiations will be conducted only under fire, and the fire will increase the more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, as quoted by Channel 14 on March 19.

In a parallel development, the Trump administration is reportedly exploring options to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Syria as part of its plan to depopulate the area before reconstruction efforts can commence.

Sources indicate that American authorities have attempted to establish contact with the new Turkish-backed Syrian regime led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa through third-party intermediaries, believed to be from the Druze community in border areas.

The recent military actions and policy statements suggest a hardening of Israel's position in the ongoing conflict, with the resumption of the hostage deal seemingly less likely as military objectives against Hamas are brought to the forefront.