Over 300’ Feared Dead AS Israeli Resumes Attack on Gaza

At least 300 Palestinians have been reported dead after Israel launched a barrage of air strikes on Gaza early Tuesday morning, abruptly ending a ceasefire with Hamas that brought fighting in the strip to a halt in January.

The Israeli attacks hit densely populated urban areas, makeshift schools, residential buildings, and areas sheltering displaced people in tents.

Later, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ordered people taking succour in eastern Gaza to evacuate the region saying it was launching strikes on “terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation” in the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he authorised the attacks alongside Israel Katz, the defence minister.

“This follows Hamas’ repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators,” a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” the statement added, until the war’s “objectives” are achieved.

One of the requirements for ending the war, Netanyahu said at the time the war began in 2023, was to wipe out the Palestinian militant group.

Tuesday’s surprise attack came as many residents were having their pre-dawn meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and raised the prospect of a full return to fighting.

Hamas health officials said entire families were wiped out and that children were among the casualties.

The terrorist organisation fumed at the attacks, accusing Israel of treachery for overturning the ceasefire agreement and threatened that Israel was exposing the remaining hostages held in Gaza to “an unknown fate”.

Negotiators have been trying to find a way forward after the first phase of the temporary truce ended on March 1 with little luck.