On Tuesday, Israel launched its most intense airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since the January ceasefire, leading to widespread devastation and the deaths of at least 220 people, most of them women, children, and the elderly. The strikes were a response to Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli hostages and its rejection of proposals aimed at extending the truce. The attack has escalated tensions, with Israel’s military operation expected to “expand beyond air strikes,” according to Israeli officials.
Netanyahu Orders Strikes Amid Hostage Negotiations
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the airstrikes, stating that they were in response to Hamas’s repeated refusal to release hostages and reject proposals from U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said. The Israeli government confirmed that the United States was consulted before the airstrikes were carried out, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterating President Trump’s strong stance against terrorism.
Hamas Accuses Netanyahu of Breaking the Ceasefire
Hamas condemned Netanyahu’s decision to resume military action, accusing him of overturning the ceasefire agreement. “Netanyahu’s decision to resume war is a decision to sacrifice the occupation’s prisoners and impose a death sentence on them,” Hamas said. The group also suggested that Netanyahu was using the conflict to boost his political standing amid domestic crises.
On-the-Ground Impact: Scenes of Chaos and Destruction
The devastation on the ground was evident, with footage from AFP showing rescuers rushing injured civilians to hospitals in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza.
“I thought they were dreams and nightmares, but I saw a fire in my relatives’ house. More than twenty martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women,” said Mohammed Jarghoun, a survivor from Khan Yunis. In another account, Ramez Alammarin described carrying children to a hospital after Israeli forces unleashed devastating airstrikes. “Bodies and limbs are on the ground, and the wounded cannot find any doctor to treat them,” he said.
The Stalemate in Truce Talks
The escalation follows a deadlock in ongoing negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, which was initially brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. on January 19. While the first phase halted 15 months of fighting, it ended in early March without an agreement on how to proceed. Hamas had demanded negotiations for the second phase, which would involve the release of remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. In contrast, Israel insists on the complete demilitarization of Gaza and the removal of Hamas before agreeing to any new truce terms.
U.S. Involvement and the Stalemate’s Consequences
The U.S. has been heavily involved in mediating the ceasefire talks, with U.S. envoy Witkoff offering a “bridge proposal” for the release of five living hostages, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, CNN reported. However, Hamas rejected the proposal, prompting Israel to take military action. The stalled negotiations have resulted in worsening humanitarian conditions, with Israel cutting aid and electricity to Gaza during the impasse.
The Death Toll
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in a staggering death toll. Israeli casualties from the attack numbered 1,218, most of whom were civilians. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed at least 48,572 people in Gaza, with the majority being civilians, according to reports from both sides.
As the conflict intensifies and diplomatic efforts remain deadlocked, the people of Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the violence, while the political leaders on both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
