Israel shatters Gaza ceasefire with deadly strikes; over 200 reported dead
Israel launched airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, breaking the ceasefire that had paused fighting since January. The attacks killed at least 200 Palestinians, including children, and injured dozens, according to Palestinian health officials. Israeli forces targeted Hamas positions, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency confirmed in a joint statement.
Hamas accused Israel of unilaterally ending the ceasefire. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Abu Watfa died in the strikes, Hamas media reported. The Palestinian civil emergency service counted at least 35 airstrikes across Gaza. Witnesses reported hits on homes in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah.
Netanyahu Orders Military Action
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks, saying Hamas refused to release hostages and rejected ceasefire proposals. “Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” his office stated. The decision leaves hostages in Gaza facing an uncertain fate.
Fox News reported that Israel consulted the White House before launching the strikes. However, U.S.-backed Arab mediators failed to resolve the ceasefire dispute in talks over the past two weeks.
Ceasefire Collapse
The truce, which began in January, had temporarily halted months of deadly fighting. During the first phase, Hamas released around three dozen hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The next phase aimed to free 60 more hostages and end the war. But negotiations stalled, and Netanyahu repeatedly warned he would resume military action.
Two weeks ago, Israel blocked food and aid deliveries to Gaza, pressuring Hamas to agree to new terms. That blockade intensified suffering in an already devastated region. The ceasefire had allowed displaced Palestinians to return to what remained of their homes, but the latest attacks shattered that fragile peace.
War’s Toll
The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel responded with relentless air and ground operations. Palestinian health officials report over 48,000 deaths and mass displacement, with 90% of Gaza’s population forced from their homes. More than half of the casualties are women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
With the ceasefire over, Gaza faces another wave of destruction.
