Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the strikes early Tuesday, following what they described as Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli hostages.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office read:
“This follows Hamas’s repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all proposals from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators. Israel will now act with increasing military strength against Hamas.”
Israel’s Warning to Hamas
Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, warned that Hamas must release the hostages, stating:
“We will show no mercy on our enemies.”
Hamas Accuses Israel of Breaking Ceasefire
Hamas has condemned the attacks, calling Israel’s actions a betrayal of the ceasefire agreement. The group also warned that the hostages in Gaza are now at “an unknown fate” due to Israel’s renewed strikes. However, Hamas has not yet officially declared the resumption of war, instead urging mediators and the UN to intervene.
US Consulted Before Strikes
A White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel consulted the Trump administration before launching the strikes. Negotiators have been working to extend the ceasefire, with a proposal to continue until mid-April, including further exchanges of hostages and prisoners.
However, disagreements between Israel and Hamas over key terms have stalled progress, according to Palestinian officials involved in the talks.
Conflict Background and Casualties
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed over 1,200 people in southern Israel and took 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has since resulted in over 48,520 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry figures used by the UN.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed and most of the 2.1 million population displaced multiple times. Essential services like healthcare, water, and sanitation have collapsed, with severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
Global Calls for Ceasefire
As tensions rise, international mediators, including the United Nations, are calling for a renewed ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties and humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
Stay updated with the latest developments on the Israel-Gaza conflict.