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More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours
In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, following the end of a ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since January 19. These operations resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of civilians, with medical sources reporting that the death toll has reached 356 so far.
The spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, indicated that the majority of the victims are children, women, and the elderly, confirming that more than 220 dead have been transferred to hospitals. Reports indicated that Israel carried out over 200 airstrikes and intense artillery shelling targeting areas in the northern and central parts of the strip, while ambulance teams faced difficulties in reaching targeted areas due to the intensity of the attacks.
In this context, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant explained that Israeli forces have returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and its threats against Israeli soldiers. He affirmed that the airstrikes will continue until all captives are returned and the desired military objectives are achieved.
In related news, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that his country will continue its operations until the hostages are released, urging the international community to take Israel's commitment regarding this matter seriously.
Meanwhile, an Israeli official announced that the extensive attack will continue "as long as necessary," as a series of preemptive strikes were launched against military leaders, key officials, and Hamas infrastructure.
For its part, Hamas held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government responsible for the consequences of the airstrikes. The movement considered that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement and exposed the Israeli hostages in Gaza to an uncertain fate.
This bloody escalation follows the failure of recent negotiations held between mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States with Hamas and Israel in Doha and Cairo, which did not result in an extension of the ceasefire agreement or advancement to its next phase.
It is worth noting that the war that began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli settlements and military bases, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 48,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, as well as the repeated displacement of hundreds of thousands and increased levels of hunger due to the blockade on aid entering through the Rafah crossing.
