At least 100 people were killed early Tuesday as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Gaza, shattering a fragile ceasefire that had held since January. The strikes hit multiple locations, including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, marking the most intense bombardment since the truce began.
According to Palestinian health officials, many of the victims were children, as the Israeli strikes targeted densely populated residential areas where thousands of displaced people were sheltering.
US – Israel consultation
Amid the escalating violence, a White House spokesperson confirmed Israel had consulted the Trump administration before executing the attacks. Speaking to Fox News’ Hannity, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight.” She added that President Donald Trump had warned Hamas and other groups, including Iran-backed Houthis, that they would “see a price to pay” for acts of terrorism.
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The airstrikes follow weeks of failed negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the fate of 59 hostages still held in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of a “repeated refusal to release our hostages” despite mediation efforts led by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. backing.
In response, a Hamas official accused Israel of unilaterally breaking the ceasefire and warned that the situation could spiral out of control.
The now-collapsed truce, brokered on January 19, resulted in the release of 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, talks broke down as Israel accused Hamas of stalling, while blocking aid deliveries to Gaza as leverage. Hamas demanded a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal—terms Israel rejected.
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On Tuesday, Israel said its strikes targeted mid-level Hamas commanders and infrastructure. But Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses reported extensive destruction in civilian areas, including a building in Gaza City and homes in Deir al-Balah.
The Palestinian Health Ministry warned Gaza’s overwhelmed hospital system is struggling to handle the mounting casualties.
This latest escalation comes after 15 months of war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli border towns, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign, which Gaza health officials report has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and devastated the enclave’s infrastructure, leaving nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced.
