Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 413 Palestinians and shatter ceasefire with Hamas

 

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 413 Palestinians and shatter ceasefire with Hamas


Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday have resulted in 413 deaths, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. At least 660 people have been wounded in the attacks.

The strikes mark the beginning of a new Israeli offensive, breaking a ceasefire with Hamas and escalating the ongoing conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the operation after Hamas refused to amend the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials described the campaign as open-ended and expected to expand, with the White House stating it had been consulted and supported Israel's actions.

The Israeli military has ordered residents to evacuate parts of eastern Gaza, including Beit Hanoun and areas further south, signaling the potential for renewed ground operations. Netanyahu’s office declared that Israel would intensify its military campaign against Hamas.

The offensive, launched during Ramadan, threatens to reignite full-scale war, which has already caused tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. Concerns have also been raised about the fate of around two dozen Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. A senior Hamas official called Netanyahu’s decision a "death sentence" for the captives, accusing him of acting to preserve his political coalition. Hamas reported that at least four senior officials were killed in the strikes.

Despite the bombardment, Hamas did not immediately respond with attacks, suggesting a possible effort to restore the truce. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces growing domestic criticism, with protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his recent decision to dismiss Israel’s internal security chief. The main organization representing hostage families accused the government of abandoning the captives, calling the move a betrayal.

Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with casualties. A strike on a home in Rafah killed 17 members of one family, including five children, according to the European Hospital. In Khan Younis, ambulances rushed the wounded to Nasser Hospital, where patients lay on the floor, some screaming in pain.

Many Palestinians had anticipated a return to war when talks over the next phase of the ceasefire stalled in early February. Instead, Israel tightened its blockade, cutting off essential supplies to Gaza’s 2 million residents to pressure Hamas into accepting its terms.

The White House placed responsibility for the renewed fighting on Hamas, arguing that it could have extended the ceasefire by releasing hostages. An Israeli official stated that the military was targeting Hamas' leadership and infrastructure and intended to expand operations beyond airstrikes. Netanyahu is set to meet with top security officials to determine next steps.

The conflict reignited two months after an initial ceasefire facilitated the release of 25 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations over the next phase—focused on freeing 59 remaining hostages—have failed. Hamas insists on a full Israeli withdrawal in exchange for releasing the captives, while Israel maintains it will not end the war until Hamas is dismantled.

Gaza was already experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis before the latest offensive. The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s response has killed over 48,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza's population, according to local health officials.

Netanyahu’s leadership is facing mounting protests, with critics accusing him of prioritizing political survival over the safe return of hostages. Mass demonstrations are planned in response to his decision to dismiss Israel's Shin Bet chief, seen as an attempt to shift blame for security failures.

Despite occasional clashes, the ceasefire had largely held since January, with mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. continuing in hopes of preventing further escalation.







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