Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday killed at least 200 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The strikes targeted multiple locations, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah, marking the deadliest escalation since the ceasefire agreement in January.
According to a Reuters report, the Israeli military said it launched the strikes in response to what it called Hamas’ refusal to release hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of rejecting negotiation efforts mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. A White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel had consulted with the U.S. before carrying out the attacks.
Hamas condemned the renewed military offensive, claiming Israel violated the ceasefire agreement. The fate of 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza remains uncertain.
Palestinian health officials said many of the casualties were children, and the destruction has worsened conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced residents. The Israeli military stated that it would continue operations for as long as necessary, intensifying its campaign against Hamas leadership and infrastructure.
The ongoing war, which began after Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has devastated Gaza, with more than 48,000 Palestinian deaths reported since the conflict erupted.
