At least 200 Palestinians killed as Israel launches large wave of strikes on Gaza | EUROtoday

Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip killed no less than 200 individuals early on Tuesday, Palestinian well being authorities stated, in what officers described as probably the most intense assault since a ceasefire got here into impact in January.

The strikes focused dozens of places throughout the enclave, together with Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. The Israeli navy stated it could proceed its operations for so long as needed and signalled that the offensive might lengthen past airstrikes, elevating the prospect of a renewed floor assault.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he ordered the strikes because of the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations, calling the operation “open-ended”.

His workplace warned: “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”

The White House confirmed that it had been consulted earlier than the assault and voiced assist for Israel’s actions.

open image in gallery

The escalation shattered a interval of relative calm throughout 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 accountable for violating and overturning the settlement.”

In Khan Younis, Palestinian witnesses reported seeing plumes of smoke and bodies covered in bloodied sheets as overwhelmed hospitals struggled to treat the injured. The Palestinian Red Crescent said its teams had counted at least 86 dead and 134 wounded, while dozens more were brought to hospitals by private vehicles.

open image in gallery

Some of the wounded were brought to Nasser Hospital, where patients lay on the floor screaming. A young boy sat with a bandage around his head as a health worker checked for more injuries, and a young girl cried as her bloody arm was bandaged, the Associated Press reported.

Many Palestinians had anticipated a return to hostilities after ceasefire talks stalled in early February. Instead of resuming negotiations, Israel imposed a blockade on food, fuel, and aid deliveries in an attempt to pressure Hamas into accepting an alternative proposal.

“Nobody desires to battle,” said Gaza City resident Nidal Alzaanin. “Everyone remains to be affected by the earlier months.”

open image in gallery

The White House put the blame for the renewed Israeli attack on Hamas. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said the militant group “might have launched hostages to increase the ceasefire however as a substitute selected refusal and battle”.

Earlier, US envoy Steve Witkoff – who was main mediation efforts – had demanded Hamas launch the remaining stay hostages “or pay a severe price”. Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz warned that the “gates of hell will open in Gaza” if the hostages weren’t returned.

“We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,” he stated.

The strikes got here two months after a ceasefire was brokered to quickly halt the battle.

During the six-week truce, Hamas launched 25 Israeli hostages and returned the our bodies of eight others in alternate for practically 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, efforts to maneuver right into a second part of the settlement collapsed after the ceasefire ended two weeks in the past.

Talks had aimed to safe the discharge of the remaining 59 hostages – 35 of whom are believed to be lifeless – and convey an finish to the battle. Hamas has insisted that each one its captives will solely be freed in alternate for a whole Israeli navy withdrawal and a proper finish to hostilities. Israel has refused these phrases, stating it is going to proceed its offensive till Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are recovered.

Additional reporting by companies