Early Wednesday, the strikes targeted Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, and the Sabra neighborhood in the north, including shelters for displaced persons, claiming the life of a mother and a child.
The Israeli military stated it targeted a “Hamas military site” in northern Gaza during the overnight operations.
The strikes follow the deaths of at least 404 Palestinians, many of them children, as Israel renewed its full-scale bombing of Gaza on Tuesday, breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas that had held since January 19.
In central Gaza, Palestinians reported attacks on homes near a mosque and Israeli helicopter fire and artillery shelling east of the Bureij refugee camp on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary described the population of Gaza as “terrified, helpless and devastated” amid the Israeli blockade and electricity cuts.
“People are starving. They do not have access to food. The water desalination plant that was providing water for 500,000 Palestinians is not working due to Israel cutting off electricity,” Hind Khoudary reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the renewed bombing of Gaza is “only the beginning” and that Israel will persist until it achieves its war objectives—eliminating Hamas and securing the release of all captives.
International Reactions
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the United Nations expressed his outrage over the Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
China’s European envoy Fu Cong expressed regret for the damage inflicted upon the fragile ceasefire. Several United States lawmakers also denounced the Israeli attacks, with Senator Bernie Sanders advocating for an end to military aid to Israel.
Protests Erupt in Israel
Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, the opposition leader of Israel, called for public protests against Netanyahu’s government, criticizing its lack of “red lines” after resuming hostilities in Gaza.
Lapid urged the nation to unite and oppose the government’s actions, stating, “This is our moment, this is our future, this is our country. Take to the streets!”
Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand the government resume negotiations for a captive deal. The main group representing the families of captives in Gaza accused the government of “deliberately dismantling” the ceasefire.
“Today Netanyahu did not open the gates of hell on Hamas. He opened the gates of hell on our loved ones,” stated Einav Zangauker, the mother of a captive held in Gaza.
