Israel launched a wave of bombings across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, stating that it was targeting Hamas objectives, in its most intense assault on Palestinian territory since a ceasefire came into effect in January.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered the attacks due to the lack of progress in the talks to extend the ceasefire. It was not clear at the moment whether the operation was a pressure tactic or if it was resuming the war completely.
“This comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all offers made by the US presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the mediators,” Netanyahu’s office stated.
Taher Nunu, a Hamas official, criticized the Israeli attacks.
“The international community faces a moral test: either it allows the return of crimes committed by the occupying army or enforces a commitment to end aggression and war against innocent people in Gaza,” he stated.
Where were the bombings by Israel?
Explosions could be heard in various places in Gaza, and ambulances were arriving at Al Aqsa Hospital in the center of the Strip.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that at least 44 people have died from the Israeli attacks on Tuesday morning.
The attacks were carried out two months after a ceasefire was reached to pause the war following 17 months of fighting. Over six weeks, Hamas released approximately three dozen captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
But since the first phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago, the parties have not been able to agree on a way forward with a second phase aimed at releasing the remaining captives and ending the war altogether.
Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to resume the war, and earlier this month he blocked the entry of food and all humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.