Reuters – Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, saying it was striking Hamas targets in its heaviest assault in the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January.
Iraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Palestinian officials reported at least 200 deaths, while medics told Reuters the toll included many children.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said it had “resumed fighting” in the strip and warned “the gates of hell will open in Gaza” if hostages were not released.
“We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,” Katz said.
Hamas said the airstrikes breached the ceasefire and put the fate of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza in jeopardy.
“The international community faces a moral test: either it allows the return of the crimes committed by the occupation army, or it enforces a commitment to ending the aggression and war against innocent people in Gaza,” Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said.
In Gaza, explosions could be heard at various locations, and ambulances were arriving at al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza.
The strikes came two months after a ceasefire was reached to pause the war. Over six weeks, Hamas released roughly three dozen hostages in exchange for nearly 2000 Palestinian prisoners.