Israeli forces launched a massive attack across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday. It was believed to be the first major strike against the territory since Israel's ceasefire with Hamas began about two months ago. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.
Israeli forces said in a telegram before 2:30am local time that it was “a massive strike on a terrorist target belonging to the Hamastero organization in the Gaza Strip.” He said the attack was ordered by Israeli political leaders.
Shortly afterwards, Hamas said in a statement that the Israeli government “resumed their invasion” in the Gaza Strip. Gaza residents reported a fierce strike across the territory.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Israel consulted the White House before it began its strike.
“As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, Huutis will see the price paid by all those trying to terrorize not only Israel but the United States,” Leavitt told Fox News on Monday night. “All hell will unleash.”
It was unclear whether the attack effectively ended the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect in mid-January. Hamas accused Israel of “overturning the ceasefire agreement and exposing Gaza prisoners to unknown fate.”
In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited him and defense minister Israel Katz “repeated refusals” and said extremists rejected all proposals from US Envoy and other mediator Steve Witkov, and cited “repeated refusals” to the military.
“From now on, Israel will act against Hamas while increasing its military strength,” the statement said.
At least 44 Palestinians, including five children, were killed in the waves of Israeli strikes, and more than 50 were injured, according to the Gazan Ministry of Health.
Civil Defense of Gaza, a major emergency service for Palestinian territory, said on Telegram that the team faces serious operational difficulties as “multiple targets are being hit at the same time.”
Mediators, including the US, Qatar and Egypt, are involved in negotiating the next step in a ceasefire agreement with the permanent purpose of the war. But they have made little progress given the disagreements that have been established between the two sides. Israel began attacking Gaza shortly after the October 2023 attack.
Since the ceasefire came into effect, Israel has been on a series of small strikes in Gaza. Hamas says at least some of them killed some civilians. It accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement by continuing its military operations.
Raja Abdulrahim Reports of contributions.
