Israeli forces launched significant aerial attacks across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, marking the end of a temporary cease-fire with Hamas that had been in place since January. The renewed conflict raised concerns about a return to all-out war.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 400 individuals, including children, were killed in the strikes, which represented one of the deadliest single-day tolls of the ongoing conflict. The reported figures did not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
The airstrikes followed weeks of unsuccessful negotiations aimed at extending the fragile cease-fire, which had paused 15 months of intense fighting. Although the truce's first phase expired in early March, it had mostly held as diplomatic efforts continued to secure an extension to release Israeli hostages and conclude the war.
The Israeli prime minister's office stated that the military operation was ordered by Benjamin Netanyahu due to Hamas's "repeated refusal" to release the remaining captives from the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel. Of the 59 hostages still in Gaza, it is believed that fewer than half are alive.
Netanyahu indicated in a later address that more Israeli attacks in Gaza were anticipated, stating, "This is just the beginning. We will keep fighting to achieve all of the war’s objectives." Meanwhile, Hamas officials contended that Israel had violated the truce but did not respond militarily to the strikes.
Suhail al-Hindi, a member of Hamas’s political office, expressed hope for restoring the cease-fire while also reserving the right to respond, emphasizing that the decision on how to react would be left to those on the ground.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, noted that the decision to resume attacks had been made days prior after Hamas rejected proposals aimed at extending the cease-fire. He stated that military action would continue in the coming days, citing a deadlock with no hostages released.
In Israel, families of hostages expressed heightened fears for their loved ones' safety due to the renewed military actions. They accused Netanyahu's government of neglecting the hostages' plight and called for immediate negotiations with Hamas to secure their release.
The Trump administration, actively seeking to mediate between Israel and Hamas, appeared to support Israel’s decision to resume extensive attacks, with officials asserting that Hamas was responsible for the escalation.
The airstrikes began shortly before 2:30 a.m. local time and were reminiscent of earlier phases of the conflict, with reports of widespread destruction and casualties across Gaza. Residents described the chaos and devastation, as many were forced to flee their homes.
UNICEF reported that among those killed were 130 children, marking the highest single-day child death toll in Gaza over the past year. The airstrikes targeted locations where families sought shelter.
Before the renewed hostilities, Israel and Hamas were attempting to negotiate a second phase of the cease-fire, which would involve the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of remaining hostages. However, disagreements persisted, particularly regarding Hamas's disarmament.
Critics of Netanyahu argue that his government has avoided a viable resolution with Hamas, prioritizing political stability over the release of hostages. Observers noted that the ongoing conflict remains in a deadlock, with both sides seemingly unwilling to make significant concessions.
While Israel has inflicted considerable losses on Hamas, including the destruction of much of its military infrastructure, Hamas officials have asserted that military actions will not achieve what negotiations have failed to accomplish.
As tensions remain high, both sides appear to be entrenched in their positions, with the prospect of further conflict looming.