At least 13 people were reported dead in overnight airstrikes across Gaza as Israel resumed combat operations in the Palestinian territory. According to the Palestinian Wafa news agency, two civilians were killed, and five others were injured when an Israeli drone struck a tent near the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. The Israeli military stated that the target was a Hamas military site from which the group was preparing to launch attacks into Israel. Additionally, Hamas-controlled vessels were reportedly struck.
This escalation follows statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to resume fighting “in full force,” warning that “this is just the beginning.” The airstrikes, while not as intense as those on Tuesday, reflect Israel's continued assault on Gaza. Tuesday’s bombings were among the heaviest since a fragile ceasefire and hostage exchange deal had been established in January. Over 400 people were killed in those attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The ceasefire deal, which was meant to unfold in three stages, stalled after six weeks of failed negotiations for the second phase. The planned second phase would have seen Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza, but Israel and the US instead pushed for an extension of the first phase, with more hostages released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu framed the resumption of hostilities as a return to Israel's core objectives: securing the return of hostages and dismantling Hamas. However, families of the hostages criticized the move, expressing fears that their loved ones would be abandoned.
Currently, Israel claims Hamas is holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. Egypt, which has acted as a mediator in the ceasefire talks, condemned the recent Israeli strikes as a “blatant” violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The strikes resulted in additional casualties, with Wafa reporting that a woman and child were killed in an airstrike north of Khan Younis, and four others lost their lives in a strike in Gaza City. Gaza's health ministry has yet to provide an official death toll for the latest air raids. Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed the deaths of several key leaders, including its head of government, Essam a-Da'lees. Islamic Jihad also reported the death of its prominent spokesman, Abu Hamza.
Regional mediators are reportedly urging Hamas to release some Israeli hostages in exchange for a de-escalation of hostilities, but Netanyahu has stated that any future ceasefire negotiations will occur “under fire.” The conflict, which escalated after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages, has now resulted in more than 48,500 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ongoing Israeli military offensive has also caused extensive destruction to homes and infrastructure throughout Gaza.
Source; theghanareport
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