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By Katie Boyden and Sarah Hooper,
At least 330 people have died after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered ‘extensive’ strikes across Gaza.
The Israeli leader said he ordered the strikes because of a ‘lack of progress’ in talks to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
‘Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,’ Mr Netanyahu’s office said.
Israel’s defence minister said the country had ‘resumed fighting’ in Gaza and is vowing to press ahead until all remaining hostages are released.
In a brief statement, Israel Katz said: ‘We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals.’
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said it had been targeting Hamas commanders, leadership officials, and infrastructure belonging to the militant group.
Among those killed was senior Hamas official Mohammad Al-Jmasi, a member of the political office, and members of his family, including his grandchildren who were in his house in Gaza City when it was hit by an airstrike, Hamas sources and relatives said.
It’s thought at least five senior Hamas officials were killed along with members of their families.
The IDF added that the strikes would continue for as long as necessary and could lead to Israeli ground troops fighting in the territory again.
Unless mediators step in, Israel’s surprise attack could mean a full return to fighting in a 17-month war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza.
Is the ceasefire over?
The ceasefire agreed to in mid-January was a three-phase plan, the first of which actually ended two weeks ago.
Israel was unwilling to enter substantive negotiations over the second phase, which were meant to lead to a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
No further hostage releases were called for under the agreement until the second phase. Hundreds of aid trucks had been entering daily.
But two weeks ago, Israel cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other supplies to the territory’s around two million people to pressure Hamas to accept a new proposal.
The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages – the militant group’s main bargaining chip – in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce.
Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners – a key component of the first phase. Hamas refused the new proposal, accusing Israel of trying to sabotage the existing agreement.
Who has died in the latest attacks?
Health ministry officials say many of the dead were children, and that rescuers are still searching for survivors under the rubble.
Hamas has accused Israel of treachery for breaking the ceasefire agreement, calling on mediators and the United Nations to intervene, the BBC reports.
Izzat al-Risheq, a senior Hamas official, said Mr Netanyahu’s decision to return to war is a ‘death sentence’ for the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.
The strikes were unexpected as they took place during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, and a time of relative calm during the conflict.
Strikes were reported in several locations including northern Gaza, Gaza City and the Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah in central and southern Gaza Strip.
More than 48,000 people in Gaza have been killed since Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which shared the death toll, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and militants but says over half of the dead have been women and children.
What have world leaders said?
Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: ‘As the Foreign Secretary said, and CDL (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster) said on the morning round, our position remains that Israel’s actions in Gaza are at clear risk of breaching international humanitarian law, and we continue to call on the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations when it comes to humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza.
‘In relation to the news overnight, we do not want to see a return to fighting, and the reported civilian casualties resulting from these strikes are appalling. More bloodshed is in no-one’s interest, but our priority is urging all parties to return urgently to dialogue to ensure the ceasefire agreement is implemented in full and that the remaining hostages are released.’
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres says he is ‘shocked’ by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and has called for the ceasefire to be respected.
Mr Guterres called for humanitarian aid to resume for people in Gaza and for the hostages held by Hamas to be released unconditionally.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Dame Emily Thornberry MP, said: ‘Today we woke up to reports that hundreds more Gazans have been killed, and to new scenes of destruction.
‘This comes after weeks of Israel blocking aid to Gaza, in an apparent violation of international humanitarian law. Last night’s attack targeted a population already on their knees and placed Israeli and other hostages at further risk.
‘On our recent visit to the Middle East, we were privileged to hear directly from those who were held hostage in Gaza. Aviva Siegel spoke movingly about her appalling experience as she was held underground for fifty days, and yet she still showed great empathy and concern for the mothers of Gaza.
‘The recently-brokered ceasefire deal offered hope to both Gazans and Israelis, many of whom are desperate for peace and for a lasting solution to the violence that has blighted the whole region for generations. This is a backwards step and a tragic day for Palestinians.’
Charity Action For Humanity International said in a statement: ‘Israel’s campaign in Gaza is nothing short of genocidal.
‘Their actions have made it undeniably clear: the Israeli government has no interest in acting within the framework of international law or to secure a just and lasting peace; for their own people or for Palestine.’
Source: https://metro.co.uk
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