Israel Gaza attacks: Israel has launched a series of deadly airstrikes on Gaza, effectively ending the ceasefire that had been in place for nearly two months. The bombardment followed a dispute over hostage releases, with Israel blaming Hamas for failing to meet its commitments under the ceasefire agreement.
Rising Death Toll and Devastation
Palestinian health officials report that at least a dozen people have been killed, though unconfirmed estimates suggest the number may exceed 200. Many more have been injured in the strikes, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Israel’s Justification for the Strikes
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the military action, stating that Hamas had refused to release additional hostages.
“If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza,” Katz declared, warning that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would intensify their campaign until all hostages were freed and Israel’s war objectives were met.
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U.S. Response and Political Repercussions
The White House has confirmed that the Trump administration was consulted before the strikes. U.S. spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reinforced America’s position, stating:
“Hamas, the Houthis, Iran—all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States will face consequences. All hell will break loose.”
Ceasefire Agreement Collapses
The latest strikes shatter the truce brokered on January 19, 2025, during the transition between the Biden and Trump administrations. Under the agreement:
- Hamas released 33 hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel.
- In exchange, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
- A second phase of negotiations was supposed to begin in early March, but talks stalled.
Instead of progressing toward peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new proposal, backed by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff. The deal proposed that Hamas release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire. However, Hamas rejected the offer, prompting Israel to block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza.
What’s Next?
With violence escalating and diplomatic efforts failing, the future remains uncertain. The renewed conflict raises concerns over further civilian casualties and the possibility of a broader regional conflict.
