Israel’s Biggest Strike on Gaza Since Ceasefire Kills Over 200
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has once again escalated as Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. This marks the largest military operation since the ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, raising concerns over the future of peace efforts in the region. The strikes came after weeks of stalled negotiations between the two sides, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the breakdown of the ceasefire.
According to Gaza's civil defense agency, most of those killed were children, women, and elderly individuals. Over 150 others sustained injuries in the attacks, which were carried out across several key locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah in central and southern Gaza. Explosions were reported throughout the territory, leaving behind destruction and fear among civilians who had been hoping for a continuation of the fragile truce.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation through a statement on X, formerly Twitter, stating that the military was carrying out "extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip." The statement emphasized that the operation was in accordance with Israel’s "political echelon" and aimed at securing the objectives of the war, including the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The escalation follows growing frustration within the Israeli leadership over Hamas’s refusal to release remaining hostages and its rejection of ceasefire proposals mediated by the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement justifying the military action, blaming Hamas for failing to cooperate with negotiations led by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators. Israel has made it clear that it will now operate with "increased military strength" against Hamas.
Hamas, on the other hand, has condemned Israel’s actions, holding Netanyahu "fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement." The group warned that this breach of the ceasefire would put the hostages held in Gaza at greater risk. The latest escalation has sparked fears of a prolonged conflict, with no immediate signs of de-escalation.
The White House confirmed that Israel had consulted with President Donald Trump’s administration before launching the strikes. While U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the extent of their involvement in the decision, Washington has previously expressed strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.
The ceasefire, which was supposed to bring temporary relief to the war-torn region, has faced repeated setbacks. Negotiations hit a deadlock as Israel insisted on extending the first phase of the truce, while Hamas demanded that the agreement move into its second phase, which included further hostage releases. The second phase was originally scheduled to begin on March 2, but disagreements between the two sides have prevented any progress.
Israel’s position has been firm, stating that any transition to the second phase must include "the total demilitarization" of Gaza and the removal of Hamas from power. Hamas, however, has refused to accept these terms, arguing that it has already made significant concessions. Last week, Hamas proposed the release of American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander along with the bodies of four hostages if Israel agreed to begin talks on implementing the next phase of the ceasefire. However, Israeli officials rejected this offer, accusing Hamas of engaging in "psychological warfare" to manipulate hostage families.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which lasted for several weeks, saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including five bodies, as well as five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas is still believed to be holding around 59 hostages, a key point of contention that has fueled continued hostilities.
This is not the first time a temporary truce has been attempted. In November 2023, a one-week ceasefire allowed for a similar exchange of hostages and prisoners, but fighting resumed soon after. The latest attempt at peace appears to be following the same pattern, with hopes for a long-term resolution slipping further away.
The Gaza war, which began on October 7, 2023, was triggered by a large-scale attack by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The group also captured 251 hostages, sparking Israel’s retaliatory military campaign. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and injured over 112,000, according to reports from health officials in Gaza. The war has also caused severe humanitarian crises, with thousands displaced and essential infrastructure destroyed.
Tuesday’s attacks highlight the fragility of the ceasefire and the deep-rooted tensions that continue to fuel the Israel-Palestine conflict. As both sides refuse to back down, the prospect of a long-term peace agreement remains uncertain. Israel's intensified military response signals that it is willing to take more aggressive actions to achieve its objectives, while Hamas has vowed to resist any efforts aimed at dismantling its control over Gaza.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with some calling for urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent further bloodshed. However, given the ongoing disagreements and the scale of destruction, it remains unclear if mediation efforts can bring about a meaningful resolution. For now, civilians in Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the violence, as hopes for peace become increasingly distant.