At least 308 Palestinians were killed as Israel launched a massive attack on Gaza, shattering a fragile two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Those killed in Tuesday’s attack included at least 77 people from Khan Eunice in southern Gaza and at least 20 people from Gaza city north, medical sources told Al Jazeera. The Israeli strike also hit central Elbara and central Rafa in the south.
Many of them were children, Gaza’s health ministry said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the military to take “strong action” against Hamas, who refused to refusal to release prisoners of war filmed from Israel or agreed to an offer to extend the ceasefire.
“From now on, Israel will act against Hamas while increasing its military strength,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The Israeli military said on Telegram that it is carrying out a “broad strike on terrorist targets” belonging to Hamas.
Hamas, who rules Gaza, said he is watching the unilateral cancellation of the ceasefire that began on January 19th and Israeli attacks.
“Netanyahu and his militant government have made the decision to overturn the ceasefire agreement and expose Gaza prisoners to unknown fate,” Hamas said in a statement. It called on people from Arab and Muslim countries to take them to the city, along with “free people of the world” to protest the attacks.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) armed groups accused Israel of “deliberately obstructing any efforts to reach a ceasefire.”
“The rest of their children” is in their hands
Gaza teacher Ahmed Abu Rizk said he and his family were awakened to the sound of “Israel strikes everywhere.”
“We were scared, our kids were scared. [on] We ourselves. And the ambulances started running from one street to another,” Abu Rizq told Al Jazeera, adding that the family began arriving at the local hospital with “children’s ruins.”
Report from Deir El-Balah, Tareq Abu Azzoum of Al Jazeera said the strike was concentrated in heavily built areas where people are evacuated, makeshift schools and residential buildings.
“In the past hour, I have heard the clear presence of Israeli drones and fighter jets across the skies in the central region. I understand that among those found as victims during the attack, there are newborns, children, women and elderly people,” Abu Azoum said several high-ranking Hamas officials had been killed.
Israeli Hamas Cerezage Conference is in a deadlock
Negotiations in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement saw the release of the remaining nearly 60 prisoners and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, but the first phase would be extended until mid-April.
Hamas has released around 30 prisoners in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners since the start of the ceasefire.
Israel did not expressly declare the end of the ceasefire, but senior officials showed that the attack on Gaza would continue.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said “Gate of Hell” would open to the enclave if the remaining prisoners were not released.
“We will not stop fighting until all hostages have returned and all the war’s objectives are achieved,” Katz said in a statement.
In a report from Amman, Jordan, Hamdasarv of Al Jazeera has accused Hamas of rejecting various proposals made by negotiators, but said the speech was suspended after Netanyahu refused to start negotiations in the second phase of the ceasefire deal on February 6th.
“Several Israeli analysts, several of the political opponents, and several within the Netanyahu government said this was a plan for a long time. The fight resumes, a return to full-scale war.”
“And actually, there’s a new Army Secretary who said 2025 will be a year of war. He points out that Israel still has many goals to achieve when it comes to the Gaza Strip.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said Israel had discussed strikes with President Donald Trump.
The 18-month war in Gaza, Israel levelled many of the enclaves and reduced homes, hospitals and schools to the tile rub.
Palestinian health authorities say Israeli forces have killed more than 48,000 people on the territory so far.
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