In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes on Gaza early Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians, according to local medical sources. This surge in violence marks the most intense military action since the ceasefire agreement was established on January 19, 2025.
Military Operations and Targets
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced they were conducting “significant airstrikes against Hamas positions in Gaza,” targeting what they described as “terrorist objectives.” The military operation comes amid growing frustration over stalled negotiations to extend the three-phase ceasefire deal.
Eyewitnesses reported strikes on multiple locations across Gaza, including:
- Three residential buildings in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza
- A structure in Gaza City
- Various targets in Khan Younis and Rafah
Diplomatic Efforts and International Response
The sudden outbreak of hostilities has raised concerns about the fate of the ceasefire agreement, which had brought a period of relative calm to the region. Arab intermediaries, supported by the United States, have been unsuccessful in bridging the differences between Israel and Hamas during recent negotiations.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the attacks were launched in response to Hamas’s refusal to release more hostages held in Gaza. “We cannot allow the continued captivity of our citizens,” Katz said in a statement.
Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms, warning that the strikes were “putting the prisoners in Gaza at risk of an uncertain fate.”
The international community has expressed alarm at the renewed violence, with calls for restraint and a return to negotiations. The United States, which had been involved in mediating talks, urged both sides to consider a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April.
As the situation continues to develop, concerns grow about the humanitarian impact on Gaza’s civilian population and the potential for further escalation in the region.
The United Nations human rights chief expressed deep dismay over the airstrikes, stating, “I am horrified by last night’s Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which, as reported by the Ministry of Health in the region, have claimed hundreds of lives. This will only compound the existing tragedies” 39.
Israel informed the US about its latest attack on Gaza before it happened, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt 4.
