The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Tuesday launched a wave of extensive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip killing over people in the deadliest attack since the ceasefire on January 19, as per The Associated Press (AP).
While AP is saying that 235 people have been killed so far, reports by Al Jazeera and the Times of Israel suggest that over 300 people have been killed while 1000 others have sustained injuries.
The surprise attack during the early hours of Tuesday disrupted a period of calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The airstrikes came amid the fragile ceasefire talks between Israel and Gaza which raised the prospect of another full-fledged fighting.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the heavy assault owing to the lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu's office said.
The airstrikes were the latest in what have been frequent and often deadly attacks by Israeli forces during the fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.
In the past two weeks, Israel blocked the entry of all food, medicine, fuel, and other supplies into Gaza, demanding Hamas accept changes in the two sides' ceasefire deal. The 17-month-long war has killed over 48,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas condemned what it called Israel's “unprovoked escalation” and said it had put the fate of the hostages in jeopardy.
There was no immediate US reaction. But over the weekend, US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading mediation efforts along with Egypt and Qatar, warned that Hamas must release living hostages immediately “or pay a severe price."
