In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel initiated a series of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, leading to the tragic loss of over 400 Palestinian lives as confirmed by local health officials. This act shattered a ceasefire that had been in effect since January, with Israel determined to compel Hamas to release hostages and surrender control of the region.
Following Hamas’ refusal to meet Israeli demands, which included freeing half of the remaining captives to extend the ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the strikes. This offensive marks the most lethal attack in the 17-month conflict, with the Gaza Health Ministry noting the majority of casualties were women and children.
Netanyahu declared the assault as just the beginning and asserted that Israel would continue its efforts until its objectives were achieved, specifically targeting the destruction of Hamas and the liberation of all hostages held by the group.
In response to the strikes, Hamas reported that six of its senior officials were killed, including key figures in its civilian government and security apparatus. Israel confirmed these casualties and announced that future ceasefire talks would proceed amidst ongoing military actions. The White House supported Israel’s military operations after consultations with Israeli officials.
The Israeli military has instructed residents to evacuate eastern Gaza and head towards central areas, signaling potential renewed ground offensives. Aid organizations have raised alarms about depleting supplies in the region, two weeks into the Israeli blockade that cut off essential goods to Gaza’s 2 million residents.
During the pre-dawn strikes, homes were destroyed, and a tent camp caught fire as people were either asleep or preparing their early morning meal during Ramadan. Eyewitness Omar Greygaa described the harrowing scene as he attempted to help survivors in his neighborhood, lamenting the blurred lines between war and truce.
The attack marks a potential full-scale resumption of the war, which has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and significant destruction in Gaza. Concerns are also rising regarding the fate of the hostages still held by Hamas, believed to be around two dozen.
A Hamas official criticized Netanyahu’s decision to return to war, condemning it as a “death sentence” for the hostages. Moreover, amidst the chaos, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched rockets towards Israel, though they were intercepted.
Domestically, Netanyahu faces rising pressure, with protests erupting over his handling of the hostage situation and recent security appointments. Meanwhile, the airstrikes seemed to bolster Netanyahu politically as a previously withdrawn far-right party announced its return to his coalition.
Families of hostages accused the government of dismantling the truce deliberately, voicing their distress at a protest in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s security decisions and urging renewed negotiation efforts.
In the aftermath of the strikes, Gaza’s health services were overwhelmed with casualties. Hospitals reported receiving the bodies of numerous children alongside other victims of the violence. Volunteers and medical staff worked under dire circumstances, recounting heartbreaking cases of critically injured children.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 404 people killed and over 560 wounded in the attacks, noting that many of the deceased were women and children. This tragic escalation marks the deadliest day in Gaza since the conflict’s onset. Netanyahu blamed Hamas for civilian casualties, arguing that the group operates within the civilian population.
The war, originating in October 2023, has resulted in over 48,500 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of 90% of Gaza’s inhabitants. Although the Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants, it confirmed that the majority of those killed were women and children.
Tensions reignited following Hamas-led militant attacks in October 2023, where hostages were taken, and many Israeli civilians were killed. While many Israeli hostages have since been released, the conflict persists.
The U.S. government attributed the renewed fighting to Hamas, criticizing the militant group’s refusal to release more hostages to extend the ceasefire. An Israeli official stated that ongoing operations would now expand beyond airstrikes to target Hamas’s military infrastructure and leadership.
Under the ceasefire agreement from January’s inception, there was an exchange protocol where hostages were released for Palestinian prisoners. Yet, negotiations over a second phase stalled due to Israel’s continued demands, which included releasing half of the remaining hostages for an extended truce. This continued military engagement raises significant questions about the future governance of Gaza and Israel’s political motives in relation to its coalition needs.