At least 413 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed after the Israeli military launched extensive strikes on Hamas, ending a weeks-long deadlock over extending the ceasefire that had paused fighting in January.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes following Hamas’s refusal to alter the ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents in eastern Gaza, including the northern town of Beit Hanoun and other southern communities, advising them to move towards the centre of the territory.
The orders suggest that Israel may soon escalate ground operations.
The White House confirmed that the United States had been consulted ahead of the strikes and expressed support for Israel’s actions. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza.”
She added, “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran — all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America — will see a price to pay: All hell will break loose.”
The strikes disrupted a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and heightened concerns about a resumption of full-scale fighting in the ongoing 17-month war, which has claimed the lives of over 48,000 Palestinians and caused significant destruction across Gaza.
The escalation also brought renewed uncertainty over the fate of around two dozen Israeli hostages believed to still be held by Hamas. Netanyahu’s decision followed growing frustrations within Israel over the failure to secure the hostages’ release, further intensifying the conflict.
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