At least 330 people were killed on Tuesday as Israel launched its most extensive airstrikes on Gaza since the ceasefire began on January 19. The attacks targeted Hamas positions across northern, central, and southern Gaza, with explosions reported in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, most of the casualties were children, women, and the elderly, with around 150 others injured. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes were ordered due to Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and reject multiple negotiation proposals.

The IDF announced on social media that its forces were executing “extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to Hamas” under directives from the political leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office justified the attack by accusing Hamas of obstructing ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, Hamas condemned the renewed offensive, stating that Netanyahu was using the conflict as a political tool and putting Israeli hostages at risk. In response, Israel has vowed to intensify military action, shutting down schools near the Gaza border and preparing for further engagements.

Ceasefire negotiations have stalled as Hamas insists on entering the second phase of the agreement, which would involve hostage releases, while Israel demands the complete demilitarization of Gaza. In the war’s initial phase, Hamas released 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. The ongoing conflict, which started on October 7, 2023, has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians, with over 112,000 wounded in Israeli retaliatory strikes.