Israel strikes Gaza newest: White House blames Hamas as Israel launches deadliest strikes since ceasefire | EUROtoday

This morning’s escalation of Gaza hostilities shattered a interval of relative calm through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and deepened considerations concerning the destiny of hostages nonetheless held in Gaza. Hamas accused Israel of violating the truce and placing the captives “at an unknown fate”.

Hamas also called on mediators to hold Israel “absolutely chargeable for violating and overturning the settlement.”

Here is the full statement from the Israeli military regarding their strikes on Gaza overnight:

• “The IDF has launched a series of preemptive strikes targeting mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials and terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation.
• ⁠The IDF is currently striking dozens of targets, based on Hamas readiness to execute terror attacks, build up force and re-arm.
• ⁠This preemptive offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond air strikes.
• ⁠The IDF is prepared and spread out in all arenas, both in personnel manning the borders and the Aerial Defence Array.
• ⁠The IDF Chief of the General Staff is heading the operation, together with the Head of the ISA, from the command center in the Kirya.
• ⁠Following a situational assessment by the MoD and the IDF Chief of the General Staff, a decision has been made not to open up schools and educational activity in the Gaza Envelope. The IDF is in constant communication with the communities. Additionally, it was decided to halt the activity of the Sderot train route.
• ⁠We cannot elaborate further, so as not to hand out information to the enemy.
• ⁠The preemptive offensive plan was kept in closed circles in the IDF to create an element of surprise and deception.”

Israel has launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that killed at least 200 people early on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian health authorities.