At least 200 people killed as Israel carries out widespread strikes in Gaza

Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple locations across Gaza, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah in the central and southern regions. According to Palestinian health officials, many of the casualties were children.

The Israeli military reported hitting dozens of targets and stated that operations would continue as long as necessary, potentially extending beyond airstrikes, raising concerns about the possible resumption of ground troop operations.

These strikes were significantly larger in scale compared to previous drone attacks on individuals or small groups of suspected militants. The escalation follows weeks of failed negotiations to extend the ceasefire established on January 19. In hospitals already overwhelmed by 15 months of bombardment, bodies wrapped in blood-stained white plastic sheets were stacked as more casualties arrived.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported handling 86 fatalities and 134 injuries, though many additional casualties were transported to hospitals by private vehicles. Officials from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, and Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City—facilities already damaged by war—confirmed receiving approximately 85 bodies. Additionally, authorities reported that 16 members of a single family in Rafah were killed. The Gaza Health Ministry placed the total death toll at over 200.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, leaving the fate of 59 hostages in Gaza uncertain.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office blamed Hamas for the renewed conflict, citing its refusal to release hostages despite proposals from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. A government statement declared that Israel would intensify military action against Hamas.

In Washington, a White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel had consulted the U.S. administration before launching the strikes. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted mid-level Hamas commanders and key infrastructure.

“Hamas could have extended the ceasefire by releasing hostages but instead chose war,” White House spokesperson Brian Hughes stated.

Witnesses in Gaza reported Israeli tank shelling in Rafah, forcing families who had returned during the ceasefire to flee northward toward Khan Younis.

Standoff in Negotiations

Mediators from Egypt and Qatar had been attempting to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas in Doha, following the end of the initial ceasefire phase, which saw 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages exchanged for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

With U.S. backing, Israel pushed for the release of the remaining 59 hostages in exchange for an extended truce lasting through Ramadan and Passover. However, Hamas insisted on negotiating a permanent end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, in line with the original ceasefire agreement.

Hamas called on mediators to hold Netanyahu’s government responsible for overturning the agreement.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the January ceasefire terms, with multiple disputes arising during its first phase. However, full-scale fighting had been avoided until now.

Israel had previously threatened to resume military action if Hamas did not agree to release the remaining hostages and had restricted aid deliveries into Gaza.

While the Israeli army did not disclose details of Tuesday’s strikes, Palestinian health authorities and local witnesses reported widespread damage. Hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians are living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings.

Israeli airstrikes hit a building in Gaza City, at least three houses in Deir al-Balah, and targets in Khan Younis and Rafah. Among the dead was senior Hamas official Mohammad Al-Jmasi, a member of the group’s political office, along with members of his family, including his grandchildren. At least five senior Hamas figures and their families were killed.

Gaza has suffered extensive destruction after 15 months of war. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli communities near Gaza, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, according to Israeli sources.

Israel’s military response has since killed more than 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and devastated much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including its healthcare system.