Gaza witnessed one of the deadliest days since the war began, with over 330 people killed on Tuesday as the Israeli military launched extensive airstrikes on Hamas targets. The strikes, which coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, came after ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled.
Israel’s Biggest Attack Since Ceasefire Began
Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that the airstrikes killed “mostly children, women, and the elderly,” with about 150 others injured. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation in a post on X, stating that it was “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip” under the directive of Israel’s political leadership.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were a response to Hamas’s “repeated refusal” to release Israeli hostages and its rejection of proposals from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators.
“The IDF is attacking Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip to achieve the war’s objectives, including the release of all hostages, both living and deceased,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Following the strikes, Israel ordered the closure of all schools near the Gaza border, citing security concerns.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Sacrificing Hostages
Hamas condemned the renewed strikes, accusing Netanyahu of using the conflict to serve his political interests. “Netanyahu’s decision to resume war is a decision to sacrifice the occupation’s prisoners and impose a death sentence on them,” a Hamas official said.
Hamas also held Netanyahu “fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement,” warning that the ceasefire breach puts the remaining hostages at risk.
Ceasefire Talks Collapse Over Hostage Release Terms
The latest round of truce talks broke down after Israel pushed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement until mid-April. Israel insisted that any transition to the next phase must involve Gaza’s total demilitarisation and Hamas’s removal from power.
Hamas had earlier agreed to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel began talks on the second phase immediately. However, Israel accused Hamas of “psychological warfare” to pressure hostage families.
Under the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages, including five bodies, and five Thai nationals in exchange for around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas still holds about 59 hostages.
Background of the Conflict
The Gaza war erupted after Hamas carried out a cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent retaliatory strikes have killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and injured over 112,000, according to reports.
The only previous truce in the conflict took place in November 2023, lasting for a week, during which Hamas released hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Global Reaction
A White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel consulted with President Donald Trump’s administration before launching the latest strikes. International mediators continue to seek a path toward renewed negotiations, but tensions remain high as both sides brace for further escalation.
