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Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, shattering the tenuous ceasefire that had held since January. The strikes came after Hamas reportedly refused to release additional hostages, prompting Israel to resume military operations with heightened intensity.
"Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declared following the strikes. Israeli officials stated the operation was open-ended and expected to expand beyond initial air attacks.
The Hamas-backed Gaza health ministry reported at least 200 deaths from the first wave of strikes, while Israel claims it is targeting Hamas military infrastructure and leadership. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that "the gates of hell will open in Gaza" if the remaining hostages aren't freed.
The collapse follows weeks of stalled negotiations on extending the ceasefire's second phase. Hamas has demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and end to the war in exchange for releasing the remaining hostages. Israel insists it will not end military operations until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages are freed.
White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes placed blame on Hamas, stating the group "could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war." U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had previously warned Hamas to release living hostages immediately "or pay a severe price."
During the January ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and eight bodies in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Approximately 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 35 believed dead according to Israeli officials.
The renewed violence threatens to reverse humanitarian progress made during the ceasefire period. Many displaced Palestinians had returned to their homes, potentially placing them at greater risk from military operations than when they were concentrated in designated safe zones.
Hamas official Taher Nunu condemned the Israeli strikes as an "unprovoked escalation" and challenged the international community to either "allow the return of crimes committed by the occupation army or enforce a commitment to ending the aggression."
The war has already claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives according to local health authorities, with more than half reportedly being women and children. The conflict began after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
As plumes of smoke rise over Gaza once again, Palestinians express resignation about the return to violence. "Nobody wants to fight," resident Nidal Alzaanin told reporters. "Everyone is still suffering from the previous months."
