Israel resumes military force in Gaza amid ceasefire end
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have announced the end of the ceasefire and declared the resumption of military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli prime minister's office reported that Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the Israeli Defence Forces to take "decisive" actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force," the statement reads.
The military reported that the Israel Defence Forces and Shin Bet are currently conducting extensive attacks on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The death toll has already risen to over 300.
Israeli media reported that Katz stated, "the gates of hell will open for Gaza" if Hamas does not release all hostages held in Palestine and that we will send forces against Hamas that it has never seen before - added the Israeli Defence Minister.
In a conversation with Reuters, a senior Hamas officer said that Israeli attacks mean that Israel unilaterally ends the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which has been in effect since 19 January. "Netanyahu and his government have decided to nullify the ceasefire agreement, endangering the fate of the captives in Gaza" - said the statement.
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Tareq Abu Azzoum from Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli military launched a sudden series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip during the night. Many residents were asleep when they were abruptly awakened by powerful explosions. Due to the late hour, determining the exact locations of the strikes was difficult. He noted that the sky over the central area remained heavily clouded by drones and fighter jets flying at low altitudes, heightening fear among Palestinians who were anxiously awaiting the outcome of the ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
A reporter from Axios, Barak Ravid, reported that the Israeli Prime Minister's office informed that Israel resumed military actions in the Gaza Strip after Hamas rejected an American proposal to extend the ceasefire.
Israeli broadcasting authorities stated that the wave of attacks was targeted against senior members of the Palestinian armed movement. The Israeli military accused Hamas of rearming its forces and preparing to conduct further attacks.
An anonymous Israeli military representative told Reuters that the Israeli offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond airstrikes, which may mean the return of Israeli ground forces to the Gaza Strip.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Dannon, spoke on the attacks on the Gaza Strip. - The Israeli Air Force initiated a series of attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza. We will show no mercy to our enemies. I want to be very clear. Israel will not stop until all our hostages return home – he said in a recording.
- He emphasized to the Security Council that ending the war in Gaza depends on securing the return of the hostages to Israel, stressing that their safe return remains a top priority.
The White House consulted with Israel
The White House confirmed that Israel "consulted" with the USA before the mass bombardment of the Gaza Strip. - And as President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran — all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America — will see a price to pay - said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in an interview with Fox News.
- All hell will break loose, and all of the terrorists in the Middle East — again, the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iranian-backed terror proxies and Iran themselves — should take President Trump very seriously when he says he is not afraid to stand for law-abiding people. He is not afraid to stand up for the United States of America and our friend and our ally Israel - she added.
Peace negotiations
Despite the end of the first phase of the ceasefire at the beginning of March, the parties have not reached an agreement on its extension. According to Israeli data, Hamas is holding 24 hostages and the bodies of 35 killed, abducted on 7 October 2023.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to continue negotiations with Hamas. This decision was made after a Saturday meeting involving representatives of the Israeli government and military. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a thorough discussion this evening on the hostages with the participation of the negotiation team and the heads of the armed forces" - the prime minister's office informed.
