Israel Resumes Airstrikes in Gaza Following Collapse of Ceasefire, Blames Hamas
After a week-long ceasefire, Israel has resumed airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas’s repeated refusal to extend the truce and release additional hostages. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the resumption of military operations via its X account, stating that it was conducting "extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization."
Israeli officials have placed the blame for the ceasefire’s collapse squarely on Hamas, accusing the group of rejecting multiple proposals for extending the truce in exchange for the release of more hostages held in Gaza. Oren Marmorstein, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Fox News Digital, "Yes, we were willing to extend the ceasefire and to have more hostages released, but Hamas said ‘no.’ Very clearly, twice Hamas said ‘no’ to the option of releasing more hostages and extending the ceasefire. So, basically, we are left with no choice, with no other option to release our hostages."
According to Marmorstein, Israel’s war objectives remain the same: securing the release of all hostages, dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure, and preventing future attacks similar to the October 7th incursion into Israel. The October 7th attack marked a turning point that has led to the present airstrikes and military conflict.
The resumption of hostilities has also seen Israel intercepting a Houthi ballistic missile, further underscoring the multi-faceted nature of the conflict. The Houthis are a Yemini group, a further reminder that the conflict and the concerns around it extend beyond just Israel and Gaza.
Acknowledging the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, Marmorstein reiterated Israel’s long-standing accusation that Hamas uses Gazans as "human shields" and operates from within civilian infrastructure, including hospitals. This strategy, according to Israeli officials, makes it exceptionally difficult to target Hamas operatives without causing civilian casualties.
Prior to the airstrikes, the IDF issued warnings to Gazan residents via Arabic Media Col. Avichay Adraee, urging them to move to safer areas. This is not the first time the IDF has warned civilians prior to attacks. According to the IDF, these warnings are part of a broader effort to minimize civilian casualties, despite the challenges posed by Hamas’s alleged use of civilian areas for military purposes.
In a translated message, Adraee stated, "For your own safety, move away to the known shelters in western Gaza City and in the city of Khan Yunis. Staying in the area marked in red may endanger you and your family."
While the Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for an immediate return to the ceasefire, Marmorstein argued that resuming military operations is the only way to secure the hostages’ release. He asserted that Hamas’s refusal to accept any offers for extending the ceasefire left Israel with no alternative.
The Israeli official noted that the Trump administration was actively involved in trying to broker a deal that would have led to the release of more hostages. According to Marmorstein, Israel accepted multiple U.S. proposals, while Hamas rejected them all.
Marmorstein dismissed Hamas’s rhetoric surrounding the war as disconnected from reality, emphasizing that statements from the U.S. indicate a "clear understanding that Hamas is at fault." He also revealed that Israel consulted with American officials prior to resuming airstrikes, a claim corroborated by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who told "Hannity" that the Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza.
Marmorstein lauded the Trump administration, stating that Israel "cannot hope for a better friend in the U.S." He asserted that the relationship between the U.S. and Israel reached "new peaks" under President Donald Trump and expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s support during the war.
Expressing confidence in Israel’s ability to defeat Hamas, Marmorstein echoed the sentiment of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, saying that Israel’s "secret weapon" is that the Jews have no other place to go. "This is the fight that we were forced to fight and will win it. And I can tell you, I know well win it because of simple reason, well win this fight against Hamas and against Houthis and against any other terrorist organization, because we have no other choice," Marmorstein stated.
The collapse of the ceasefire and the resumption of hostilities raise serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the population is already suffering from severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The international community has called for restraint and a renewed effort to find a lasting solution to the conflict. With both sides seemingly entrenched in their positions, the path to peace remains uncertain. The only thing that is certain is that this conflict has touched many innocent lives and devastated families. The search for a long term solution that will enable those affected to live with peace of mind is paramount.
