Netanyahu says fighting has resumed in Gaza with ‘full force’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday night that Israel’s Hamas in the Gaza Strip “got all out” against Hamas.
In a provocative video statement, he warned that “negotiations will only continue on the fire” and that “it’s just the beginning.”
His comments were posted after a massive air strike by Israeli aircraft on the military saying that what the military had said was Hamas targets in Gaza.
Hamas – The Ministry of Operations and Health said more than 400 people have been killed and hundreds have been injured in the attack.
The strike wave has been the heaviest since the ceasefire on January 19.
The fragile truce distance is now maintained, but this new wave of attacks suggests that plans for a permanent ending of the war may not be on the table.
Tuesday’s air strikes broke the relative peace that Gazans had been experiencing since January, and the hospital was once again flooded with casualties.
Mohammed Zaquot, director-general of the Gaza Strip Hospital, told BBC Arabic that the attacks were so sudden that these massive strikes were undersized and other teams were called. ”
In his speech, Netanyahu said that Israel had tried to negotiate with Hamas to release the Israeli hostages still in Gaza. He accused Hamas of rejecting these suggestions every time.
Israel and Hamas disagree with the ceasefire deal since its expiration in early March after multiple exchanges between Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The deal involves three phases, and the second phase of negotiations would have started six weeks ago – but that didn’t happen.
Instead, the agreement fell into uncertainty when the U.S. and Israel wanted to change the terms of the deal to expand the first phase, which would free more hostages.
This will delay the start of the second phase, which is to establish a permanent ceasefire that requires Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza.
However, Hamas rejected the proposed change for us, Katari and Egyptian mediators, deeming it unacceptable.
Netanyahu said Tuesday night that Israel will continue to fight to achieve all its war goals – “repay hostages, get rid of Hamas and make sure Hamas is not a threat to Israel.”
Officials said Donald Trump’s administration solicited Israel’s consultations before Israel embarked on a strike.
“Hamas could have released the hostages to expand the ceasefire, but chose to reject and war,” said Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the National Security Council.
Hamas warned that Israel’s recovery of violence would be “death sentenced”, imposed death penalty on the rest of Gaza’s hostages and accused Israel of trying to force it to surrender.
A group representing hostage families accused the Israeli government of choosing to “give hostages” by launching a new strike – and has been protesting outside the Israeli parliament.
Israel said Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the war was triggered, killing about 1,200 people and bringing 251 people back to Gaza as prisoners.
Gaza Hamas – Operations Ministry of Operations said Israel killed more than 48,500 Palestinians with a large-scale military offensive and caused great damage to homes and infrastructure.
