CNN
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Gaza’s fragile ceasefire shattered early Tuesday as Israel carried out deadly strikes across the enclave and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to use “increasing military strength” against Hamas.
The overnight bombardments struck multiple locations across Gaza and were the most extensive since a months-long ceasefire came into effect, with Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declaring: “Tonight we returned to fighting in Gaza.”
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was already hanging in the balance with phase one ending two weeks ago and all sides at loggerheads over a path forward that might see remaining Israeli hostages freed and a permanent peace secured.
Israel’s military and security agency said they were “currently conducting extensive strikes” on Hamas targets in Gaza. In response, Hamas accused Netanyahu – and what it described as his extremist government – of deciding to overturn the ceasefire agreement, and “putting the captives in Gaza at risk of an unknown fate.”
At least 210 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the new wave of Israeli strikes, according to the Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza.
The Civil Defense in Gaza said a number people were “trapped under the rubble of homes that were bombed in various areas” of the enclave. CNN stringers in Gaza reported the sounds of strikes in multiple locations, including Gaza City, Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.
Videos obtained by CNN showed scenes of panic and chaos across Gaza as families desperately rushed wounded loved ones to hospital and rescue workers transported patients in ambulances or on stretchers. The images showed several young children killed by the strikes.
Deaths and injuries, including of children, have been reported at hospitals ranging from the northern end of the strip to its southern tip more than 30 kilometers away, including Al-Awda hospital in Tal Al-Zaatar, northern Gaza; Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat, central Gaza; and Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Several hospitals said the casualties were due to civilian homes being hit by the strikes.
The Israeli military has continued to operate inside Gaza since the start of the ceasefire on January 19, but Tuesday’s airstrikes are the clearest sign that efforts to extend the truce have collapsed.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz ordered the operation, accusing Hamas of “repeatedly” refusing to release hostages and rejecting all offers from United States presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators.
“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is currently attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip, with the aim of achieving the war goals as determined by the political echelon, including the release of all our hostages — living and dead,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”
Israel has blocked the supply of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza for the past two weeks, in a bid to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages and impose new conditions on the extension of the truce. Israel also cut electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power, intensifying the enclave’s existing water crisis and severely impacting desalination efforts, local officials said.
The return of thousands of trucks carrying food, hygiene supplies and other necessities during the pause in fighting had somewhat alleviated dire humanitarian conditions that have gripped Gaza. A return to the 17-month war that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians would “lead to an immense tragedy,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said last month.
The Israeli strikes come days after the US put forward a new proposal that would secure the release of a handful of living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a month-long extension of the ceasefire.
Under the US proposal, Israel would also lift its blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a source familiar with the negotiations said.
Hamas said Friday it had responded to a proposal to extend the truce, “which included its approval” to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four dual nationals held hostage in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Hamas leader Ezzat al-Rishq said the new airstrikes were a “death sentence” for the remaining Israeli hostages held in the enclave.
In total, 251 people were kidnapped from Israel in the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Of the nearly 60 hostages remaining in Gaza, fewer than half are believed to be alive.
An Israeli official claimed the extensive attack in Gaza Tuesday was “preemptive” and said the strikes would “continue as long as necessary and will expand beyond airstrikes.”
The official declined to provide any details about what they claimed was Hamas’ “readiness to execute terror attacks, build up force and re-arm,” but said the strikes were targeting the group’s “mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials and terrorist infrastructure.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
