A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has ended as Israeli fighter jets began striking the Gaza Strip after repeated hostage deal offers were refused by Hamas, officials said.
At least 404 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed in the airstrikes, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The death toll has not been independently verified.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a military operation against Hamas terrorist targets across Gaza, with the aim of achieving war objectives, including the release of all hostages – both living and fallen. This decision comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release its hostages and rejected proposals presented by US President Steve Witkoff and mediators.
The Israeli government backs Israel’s move, with President Donald Trump’s administration stating that Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war.
Israel will intensify its military actions against Hamas moving forward. The IDF has launched a series of preemptive strikes targeting mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials, and terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hamas organization. The military offensive will continue as long as necessary, with plans to expand beyond air strikes.
A decision was made not to open up schools and educational activities in the Gaza Envelope due to Hamas’s readiness to execute terror attacks and build up its forces. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office stated that the airstrikes came after Hamas “rejected all offers it received” from the Trump administration’s special envoy and mediators.
Hamas has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to demand Israel halt military operations and fully withdraw from Gaza. The terror group blames Netanyahu and the “Nazi Zionist occupation” for the conflict, and has demanded a resolution to end the war and restore Palestinian rights.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world