ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Israel’s military launched a large-scale assault on Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 200 Palestinians, including women and children. The strikes effectively ended a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19, 2025. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, the casualties include civilians caught in airstrikes that targeted residential areas and infrastructure.
Escalating Tensions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the assault was a response to Hamas’s refusal to release captives. The Israeli military carried out airstrikes using drones and fighter jets, targeting Hamas-linked “terror targets.” Despite the official justification, Hamas quickly condemned the attack, accusing Israel of unilaterally breaking the ceasefire and sabotaging ongoing negotiations.
Hamas leaders criticized Israel for its refusal to extend the truce and claimed that Israel had “exposed prisoners in Gaza to an uncertain fate.” These strikes came at a time when both sides were deadlocked over the next phase of the ceasefire, which was intended to secure the release of remaining captives.
Heavy Bombardment Across Gaza
The airstrikes hit several areas across Gaza, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and Rafah. Eyewitnesses reported widespread chaos as residents fled their homes, seeking shelter from the bombardment. Hospitals, already overwhelmed from months of strikes, struggled to treat the influx of casualties.
“We were frightened. Our children were frightened,” said one resident, describing the panic as ambulances rushed to collect victims, including children. The toll includes senior Hamas official Mohammad Al-Jmasi, who died along with his family members, including his grandchildren.
Ceasefire Talks Collapse
The escalation follows a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations. The first phase of the truce, which had been focused on the release of captives, collapsed after Israel sought an extension until mid-April. Hamas, on the other hand, demanded a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel accuses Hamas of rejecting multiple proposals for the release of captives, while Hamas claims that Israel’s actions have sabotaged the peace talks. Some analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s government may have planned for a return to full-scale war, as military officials have previously indicated that 2025 would be a year of increased conflict.
International Reactions
The White House confirmed that Israel consulted U.S. President Donald Trump before launching the strikes. “As President Trump has made clear, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran—all those who seek to terrorize Israel and the U.S.—will face consequences,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Israel’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, which accuse the military of disproportionately targeting civilians. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that newborn babies and elderly people were among the victims, with many of the bodies arriving at hospitals wrapped in blood-stained sheets.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The renewed violence has deepened Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies warn that the conflict’s resumption will push the region to catastrophic levels, especially after Israel had recently blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid, citing the need for Hamas to release captives in exchange for aid access.
With many displaced families returning to their homes during the truce, the latest airstrikes forced them to flee once again. “There is no safe place left in Gaza,” said one local journalist as Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah.
Ongoing Conflict
The war, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has already claimed more than 48,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health authorities. Both sides continue to blame each other for violating the truce, signaling that a peaceful resolution remains elusive, with tensions likely to escalate further in the coming months.
