**Israel** launched a series of intense airstrikes across **Gaza** on Tuesday, marking the most severe escalation since a **ceasefire** took effect in January. The attacks targeted multiple areas, including **Gaza** City in the north, central regions like Deir el-Balah, and southern cities such as Khan Younis and Rafah. **Palestinian** health officials reported that at least 342 people had been killed, including many children, as strikes hit residential buildings, makeshift shelters, and schools where displaced families had sought refuge.
**Gaza**’s Health Ministry said hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties, with emergency teams retrieving bodies from the rubble. Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said newborns, women, and the elderly were among the victims. Witnesses described the bombardment as relentless, with drones and fighter jets circling overhead throughout the night. Residents recalled the terror of waking to the sound of explosions, as ambulances rushed between destroyed buildings.
The strikes came as **Israel**’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered military action in response to what he described as Hamas’ refusal to release captives or extend the ceasefire. “_**Israel** will now act with increasing military strength against Hamas,_” his office stated. Israeli Minister of Defense **Israel** Katz warned that the “_gates of hell_” would open if hostages were not released. The military confirmed on Telegram that it was conducting “_extensive strikes on terror targets_” in Gaza.
Hamas, which governs **Gaza**, accused **Israel** of unilaterally abandoning the **ceasefire** agreement that had been in place since January 19. It called on people across Arab and Islamic nations to protest, while the **Palestinian** Islamic Jihad group accused **Israel** of deliberately sabotaging efforts to negotiate a lasting truce. The Government Media Office in **Gaza** condemned the attacks as “_brutal massacres_” and claimed they demonstrated **Israel**’s intent to continue what it described as genocide against civilians.
The renewed hostilities come amid growing political pressure on Netanyahu. His government has faced weeks of internal unrest, with far-right ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, pushing for a return to full-scale war. Protesters, including families of hostages still held in **Gaza**, have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political survival. Monday’s decision to remove Ronen Bar, the head of **Israel**’s domestic intelligence agency, further fueled tensions. Netanyahu cited “_a growing distrust_” as the reason for his dismissal.
**Ceasefire** negotiations, which aimed to secure the release of around 60 remaining Israeli captives in exchange for an extended truce, have stalled. Hamas previously released several dozen hostages in return for nearly 2,000 **Palestinian** prisoners, but talks collapsed after Netanyahu’s government refused to move forward with the second phase of the agreement. The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the latest military actions.
Israeli media analysts have suggested that the escalation was planned in advance, with a senior Israeli official stating that 2025 would be a “_year of war._” Over the weekend, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hinted that recent American strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen should serve as a warning to Hamas about delays in **ceasefire** negotiations. The decision to resume attacks was reportedly finalized last week when the Israeli military presented its latest offensive plans to Netanyahu.
**Israel**’s military campaign in **Gaza** has already left much of the enclave in ruins, with homes, schools, and hospitals reduced to rubble. Since the war began 18 months ago, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health authorities. Despite Tuesday’s massive assault, Israeli officials have not formally declared an end to the **ceasefire**, but signs indicate that fighting will continue.