At least 55 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza overnight, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency. This comes after Israel resumed its bombing campaign and ground operations in the territory this week, with air strikes claiming over 430 lives within two days, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas believes the announced ground operation by Israel is a “new and dangerous” violation of the ceasefire deal that started in January. Israel resumed attacks on Tuesday after negotiations to extend the deal failed to progress. Furthermore, Israel has warned that attacks will intensify in Gaza until Hamas releases the remaining hostages. As of now, Israel claims Hamas is holding 59 hostages, with 24 believed to be alive.
The IDF has begun “targeted ground activities” in an effort to create a “partial buffer” between the north and south in Gaza, which they have termed a “limited ground operation.” IDF spokesperson Col Avichay Adraee stated that forces have been deployed up to the center of the Netzarim corridor, dividing northern and southern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israel has “resumed combat in full force” and any ceasefire negotiations will now take place “under fire.”
Israel and Hamas have been unable to agree on taking the ceasefire beyond its first phase, which expired on March 1. Hamas has refused to renegotiate the ceasefire on Israel’s terms, although it offered to release a living American hostage and the bodies of four hostages as mediators attempted to maintain the ceasefire. In early March, Israel blocked all food, fuel, and medical supplies from entering Gaza, claiming Hamas was commandeering the provisions. The war was initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and the abduction of 251 others. Twenty-five Israeli and five Thai hostages were released alive during the first phase of the ceasefire.
Israel’s massive military response to the October attack has reportedly killed more than 48,500 Palestinians, mainly civilians, before Israel resumed its operations, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Additionally, Israel’s military campaign has led to widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2dr7jd7mno
