Extensive strikes on the Gaza Strip by Israel

Extensive strikes on the Gaza Strip by Israel

Extensive strikes on the Gaza Strip by Israel

According to the Israeli military, “extensive strikes” are being carried out in the Gaza Strip.

At least 34 Palestinians have been killed and 70 injured, according to a spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense agency, which is managed by Hamas and serves as the primary emergency response service for the strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to be pursuing “terror targets” that were allegedly owned by Hamas.

Since the ceasefire started on January 19, this is the biggest round of airstrikes against Gaza. An agreement to prolong the ceasefire in Gaza has not been reached.

According to Reuters, which cited witnesses and medical personnel, three homes in central Gaza’s Deir Al-Balah, a building in Gaza City, and targets in Khan Younis and Rafah were struck.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the strikes on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the PM’s office.

“This follows Hamas’s 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,” it said.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” it added.

The plan for the strikes “was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership,” it said.

US President Donald Trump’s administration was consulted by Israel prior to carrying out the strikes, a White House spokesperson told Fox News.

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

The US proposed extending the first phase until mid-April, including a further exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

But a Palestinian official familiar with the talks told the BBC that Israel and Hamas disagreed over key aspects of the deal set out by Witkoff at the indirect talks.

The latest war between Israel and Hamas started on 7 October 2023, when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, with 251 taken hostage.

The assault triggered an Israeli military offensive that has since killed more than 48,520 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which are used by the UN and others.

Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population has been displaced multiple times.

An estimated 70% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, healthcare, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed, and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.