Israel launched airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, and local health officials said Hamas had shattered the ceasefire as he vowed to force them to free more hostages and free control of the territory.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a strike after Hamas refused to release half of the remaining hostages as a prerequisite for the Israelis to extend the ceasefire. Israel’s most deadly bombardment of territory in the 17-month war killed most women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Netanyahu said the attack was “only the beginning” and that Israel would move forward until it achieved all its objectives of the war.
Hamas said at least six senior officials were killed in Tuesday’s strike. Israel said it included Hamas’ civilian government chief, a Justice Department official and two security agencies heads.
He further said in a statement aired on national television that all ceasefire negotiations will take place “under fire.” The White House said it was consulted and expressed support for Israel’s actions.
Israeli forces have ordered the people to evacuate eastern Gaza and head towards the centre of their territory, indicating that Israel can soon launch an updated ground operation. The new campaign is set to warn Israel to the 2 million Palestinians of Gaza’s shortage of consumables two weeks after Israel cut off all food, medicines, fuel and other products.
Dawn barrages across Gaza raided homes and shelters, burning tent camps as families slept and prepared “Chinese”; In Gaza city, Omar Greigaa said he ran off after the strike to help survivors of nearby attacked buildings.
“In every room I found the dead. …I end in one place and go to another. “I don’t know if we’re in a state of war or an armistice.”
The attack could mark the full resumption of the war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction throughout Gaza. It also raised concerns about the fate of around 20 hostages held by Hamas, believed to be still alive.
A Hamas official said Netanyahu’s decision to return to war would be a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages. Izzat Al-Risheq accused Netanyahu of launching a strike to save the far-right governing coalition.
There were no reports of Hamas attacks hours after the fire.
However, the rebels in Houthi in Yemen were the first to launch rockets at Israel since the ceasefire began. Volley set out sirens into the southern desert of the Negev, Israel, but was intercepted before reaching the territory of the country, the army said. The US launched a fatal strike against the Iran-backed Houtsis over the weekend.
Israel faces Netanyahu’s push for domestic pressure, which has led to Israel’s return to military campaigns, with massive protests planned over the handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire Israel’s internal security director. His latest testimony in the long-term corruption test was cancelled after the strike.
The strike appeared to give Netanyahu a political boost. The far-right party, led by Itamar Ben Gwil, announced on Tuesday that it had closed its government in a ceasefire.
The main group representing hostage families deliberately dismantled the ceasefire.” Thousands of Israelis packed Tel Aviv Square on Tuesday evening, protesting Netanyahu’s intentions to fire the country’s domestic security director and demand the government resume negotiations for hostage trade.
“Today, Netanyahu did not open the gates of hell in Hamas. He opened the gates of hell to our loved ones,” said Ainav Zangauker, whose son is in the hostages.
Ogawa was injured at Gaza Hospital
After two months of relatively calm during the ceasefire, the stunned Palestinians once again excavated their loved ones on top of the dead at the hospital Morgue, and once more excavated funeral prayers.
“No one wants to fight,” said Nidal Alzaanine, a resident of Gaza City. “Everyone is still struggling the previous month.”
The hit at Rafa’s home killed 17 members of one family, according to the European hospital that received the body. The deaths included five children, parents, and another father and his three children. Another person in Gaza city killed 27 members of the family, according to a list of deaths issued by the Palestinian Medic.
By noon Tuesday, Nasser Hospital had received the bodies of at least 28 children killed in recent violence, according to records shared by Ahmed al-Farah, director of pediatrics and obstetrics.
At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the patient lay on the floor and screamed. The young girl cried as her bloody arms bandaged. The injured children overwhelmed the pediatric ward, said Dr Tanya Haji Hassan, a volunteer with medical assistance from a Palestinian aid group.
She said she helped the 6-year-old girl treat her intro. When they pulled her curly hair apart, they noticed that Shrup had penetrated the left side of her brain, leaving her paralyzed to the right side. She was brought in without an ID and “I don’t know if her family survived,” Haj-Hassan said.
Gaza’s health ministry said the strike killed at least 404 people and injured more than 560 people. Zaha al-Waheidi, the head of the department’s records, said at least 263 were women or children under the age of 18.
In a statement Tuesday, Netanyahu blamed Hamas on civilian casualties, saying it was active among the population.
Local health officials say the war killed more than 48,500 Palestinians and forced 90% of Gaza’s population. The Ministry of Health does not distinguish between civilians and extremists, but says that more than half of the deaths are women and children.
The war occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led extremists entered southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefires and other transactions, with Israeli forces rescue only eight people and recovering dozens of bodies.
We support Israel and blame Hamas
The White House blamed Hamas for a new battle. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the extremist groups “we were able to release hostages and extend the ceasefire, but instead chose denial and war.”
However, the US-backed ceasefire agreements that it had supported brokers did not require Hamas to release more hostages to extend the suspension of combat beyond the first stage.
Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss deployment operations, Israel said it was planning to surprise Hamas’ troops, leaders and infrastructure and expand its operations beyond air attacks.
Public servants accused Hamas of trying to restructure and plan a new attack. Hamas militants and security forces quickly returned to the streets a few weeks after the ceasefire took effect. Hamas on Tuesday rejected plans for a new attack.
Israel was trying to change its ceasefire contract
Under the ceasefire that began in mid-January, Hamas released 25 hostages and eight more bodies in exchange for more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, as agreed in the first phase.
However, Israel has decided to enter negotiations in the second phase. Under the agreement, Phase 2 was intended to bring about the release of the remaining 24 living hostages. Israel says Hamas also holds the bodies of 35 prisoners.
Instead, Israel demanded that Hamas release half of the remaining hostages in return for his vague promise to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire and ultimately a permanent truce. Hamas refused, demanding that both sides follow the original deal and sought a halt of the fight to continue during negotiations in the second phase.
Israel says it will not end the war until it destroys Hamas’ rule and military capabilities and releases all hostages.
The full resumption of war allows Netanyahu to avoid the tough trade-offs sought in the second phase and the troublesome issue of who will govern Gaza.
It will also strengthen his alliance. This depends on far-right lawmakers who neglect Gaza and want to rebuild the Jewish settlement there.
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Federman reported from Jerusalem to Cairo to Maggidi. Associated Press reporters Mohammad Jahjouh, Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Abdel Kareem Hana is located in Gaza city, Gaza Strip. Fatma Khaledo of Cairo. Tia Goldenberg of Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed.
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