Gaza: Israel Resume Attacks After Two-Month Truce
Palestinian authorities say more than 300 people have been killed by Israeli attacks. HAMAS: “The lives of 59 hostages held inside Gaza are at risk”
The Israeli army has resumed airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The death toll already exceeds 300, according to Palestinian authorities. The strikes came after two months of truce, but the ceasefire is now under serious threat.
According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the army to act with full determination against Hamas in response to the group’s refusal to release the remaining hostages. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz explained: “Hamas has suffered a heavy blow but has not been completely defeated. They are preparing for another attack on Israel like the one on October 7.” According to Israeli sources, Hamas still has some 25,000 terrorists at its disposal, while the Palestinian jihad fighters are estimated at 5,000.
“From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increased military force,” Netanyahu’s office said in an official statement. At the same time, Hamas accused Israel of derailing the ceasefire agreement, claiming it jeopardized the lives of 59 hostages remaining in Gaza custody.
The United States confirmed that Israel consulted with Washington before resuming strikes. White House press secretary Brian Hughes said: “Hamas had the opportunity to release the hostages and thus extend the truce, but they chose rejection and war.”
Meanwhile, Family Forums, an association of families of Israeli hostages, made a desperate appeal to Netanyahu: “Stop killing” our loved ones. In light of the latest developments, “the relatives of the hostages are demanding a meeting this morning with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the head of the negotiating team to obtain assurances that the hostages will be protected from military influence and to find out what steps are being taken for their return (…). Stop killing them!”
