Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 330 individuals, according to Palestinian health authorities. This surge in violence marks the end of a weeks-long stalemate over a ceasefire that had temporarily halted hostilities since mid-January.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has issued a statement accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. According to reports, strikes occurred in various locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and the cities of Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Palestinian health ministry officials have indicated that a significant number of the deceased are children.
“The health ministry has recorded over 330 deaths, the majority being Palestinian women and children, with hundreds more injured, dozens of whom are in critical condition,” stated Mohammed Zaqut, the head of the health ministry.
Emotionally striking images have emerged from the rubble of the Nuseirat refugee camp, where a distraught woman is seen grieving the loss of her home, destroyed by an Israeli strike.
The scale of these attacks far surpasses the usual series of targeted drone strikes conducted by the Israeli military. This escalation follows several unsuccessful efforts to negotiate an extension to the truce that was established on January 19. Reports from overwhelmed hospitals have highlighted a grim reality, with bodies covered in blood-stained white plastic sheets filling the facilities as casualties continue to arrive.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reports dealing with 86 fatalities and 134 injuries, although many victims were transported to hospitals by private vehicles due to the overwhelming circumstances. Medical officials from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, and Al-Ahly Hospital in Gaza City—each of which has suffered extensive damage during the conflict—indicate that they collectively received around 85 bodies.
Authorities noted a heartbreaking addition: 16 members of a single family in Rafah were killed in this round of strikes. A spokesperson for the Gaza health ministry confirmed that the total death toll has now reached at least 330.
In a response that underscores the complexity of ongoing tensions, Hamas stated that Israel’s actions have effectively nullified the ceasefire agreement, leaving the status of 59 hostages still held in Gaza unclear.
The Israeli government has responded assertively, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing Hamas of “repeated refusal to release our hostages” and ignoring proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“Israel will now act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office declared. A White House spokesperson has confirmed that Israel consulted with the U.S. administration before executing these strikes, aimed particularly at mid-level Hamas commanders and related infrastructure. Brian Hughes, the spokesperson, remarked, “Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but chose instead to reject, leading to war.”
Witnesses in Gaza have reported Israeli tanks shelling areas in Rafah, triggering a wave of displacement as families who had just returned to their homes after the ceasefire were forced to flee north to Khan Younis.
Negotiators from both Israel and Hamas had convened in Doha, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators striving to bridge the divide between the two parties following the initial phase of the ceasefire. This first phase had seen the return of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais in return for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Supported by the United States, Israel has been advocating for the return of the remaining 59 hostages still held in Gaza in exchange for a more enduring ceasefire that would pause fighting during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday in April.
Nevertheless, Hamas has insisted on moving toward negotiations for a permanent end to the conflict, including a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as stipulated in the original ceasefire terms. “We demand that the mediators hold Netanyahu and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement,” they stated.
In this environment of deeply rooted tensions, both sides have accused each other of failing to uphold the January ceasefire. Despite earlier setbacks, a complete return to armed conflict was, until now, avoided.
Israel has restricted the entry of aid into Gaza and has issued numerous warnings about resuming hostilities if Hamas did not comply with demands regarding the return of hostages. The military has not provided specifics about the early-morning strikes on Tuesday, but Palestinian health officials and witnesses have reported extensive damage across Gaza, where countless individuals remain in makeshift shelters or damaged residences.
Strikes have been reported in various neighborhoods, including one in Gaza City and several in Deir al-Balah. In southern Gaza, the attacks extended to the cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. Among the casualties was senior Hamas member Mohammad Al-Jmasi, as well as members of his family, including his grandchildren, who were in his home when it was targeted.
The ongoing conflict has taken a staggering toll, with more than 48,000 fatalities reported by Palestinian health authorities since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, when an attack led by Hamas shook Israeli communities, culminating in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages into Gaza. As a result, the infrastructure within Gaza—including housing and healthcare systems—has been largely decimated.
As we navigate this challenging landscape, it is imperative that we seek pathways to peace and prioritize the well-being of all those affected.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
