Escalation in Gaza: Israel Resumes Military Operations Following Ceasefire Breakdown

JERUSALEM – Tensions in the Gaza Strip have reached a boiling point as the Israeli military launched a widespread offensive early Tuesday, shattering a weeks-long period of relative calm following the January ceasefire. The renewed hostilities have raised serious concerns about the fate of remaining hostages and the potential for a prolonged and devastating conflict. Palestinian health officials reported at least 100 fatalities in the initial wave of strikes, including a significant number of children.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had struck numerous targets across Gaza, encompassing the northern region, Gaza City, and areas in central and southern Gaza, including Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. The military justified the operation as a necessary response to Hamas’s alleged refusal to extend the ceasefire and release the remaining Israeli hostages. The military stated that the strikes would continue for as long as necessary, signaling a potentially extended campaign that would extend beyond aerial bombardments.

The scope of the current offensive dwarfs the limited drone strikes that Israel has previously conducted against suspected militants. This escalation represents a significant departure from the recent norm and has ignited fears of a return to the intense fighting that characterized the conflict in the months following the October 7th attacks.

Hamas has condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and has expressed deep concern for the safety of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza. The group accused Israel, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of undermining the truce and jeopardizing the lives of the captives.

Netanyahu’s office has responded by accusing Hamas of consistently rejecting proposals for hostage release, including those brokered by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The Israeli government has vowed to respond with increasing military strength against Hamas.

The White House confirmed that Israel had consulted with the U.S. administration prior to launching the strikes. The military stated that the targets included mid-level Hamas commanders and leadership figures, as well as infrastructure belonging to the militant group.

Negotiating teams from Israel and Hamas have been engaged in indirect talks in Doha, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, in an effort to bridge the gap between the two sides. The initial phase of the ceasefire saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel, with the backing of the United States, has been pushing for the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for a longer-term truce that would extend beyond the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday in April. However, Hamas has insisted on moving directly to negotiations for a permanent end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, adhering to the terms of the original ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has called upon the mediators to hold Netanyahu and the "Zionist occupation" fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the January ceasefire agreement, and there were several disruptions during the initial phase. However, until now, a full resumption of hostilities had been avoided.

Israel had previously blocked aid deliveries from entering Gaza and had threatened to resume fighting if Hamas did not agree to release the hostages.

While the Israeli army has not provided specific details about the strikes, Palestinian health authorities and witnesses have reported damage in numerous areas of Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings. A building in Gaza City was hit, and at least three houses were struck in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Targets in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah were also hit.

Much of Gaza now lies in ruins after 15 months of fighting, which began on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages.

The Israeli military campaign in response has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and has destroyed a significant portion of the housing and infrastructure in the enclave, including the hospital system.

The renewed escalation has placed immense strain on the already fragile humanitarian situation in Gaza. The healthcare system is overwhelmed, and access to essential resources such as food, water, and medicine is severely limited. The international community has expressed deep concern about the escalating violence and the potential for further loss of life. Calls for an immediate ceasefire and a renewed commitment to diplomatic efforts are growing louder.

The prospects for a swift de-escalation remain uncertain. The deep-seated mistrust and conflicting demands of both sides continue to pose significant obstacles to a lasting resolution. The immediate priority is to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and prevent further escalation of the conflict. The future of Gaza and the possibility of a lasting peace depend on the willingness of both sides to engage in meaningful negotiations and address the underlying issues that have fueled this devastating conflict.