Israel has launched a large-scale attack on Gaza, ending the two-month ceasefire with Hamas. Airstrikes early Tuesday killed at least 232 Palestinians, including many children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

At least 77 people were killed in Khan Younis (southern Gaza) and 20 in Gaza City (north), according to medical sources. Israeli airstrikes also hit Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Rafah in the south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered intense military action because Hamas refused to release Israeli captives or agree to extend the ceasefire. The Israeli military said it was carrying out major strikes on Hamas targets. Hamas, which controls Gaza, said Israel’s attack was a unilateral decision to end the ceasefire that had been in place since January 19.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group said that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government are trying to cancel the ceasefire agreement. They warned that this could put prisoners in Gaza in danger. The group also accused Israel of purposely blocking all efforts to achieve a ceasefire.

Israel and Gaza ceasefire deal

Talks on the second phase of the ceasefire deal have stalled. This phase was supposed to secure the release of nearly 60 remaining captives and establish a permanent ceasefire. However, Israel wants to extend the first phase until mid-April, causing a deadlock.

Medics and witnesses reported that three houses were hit in Deir Al-Balah, a building was struck in Gaza City, and attacks also took place in Khan Younis and Rafah. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said that at least 35 airstrikes targeted Gaza.

Disagreement in deal

Violence increased as Israel and Hamas continued to disagree over the ceasefire, which began in January and was planned in three phases. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to take "strong action" against Hamas in Gaza because Hamas refuses to release hostages and rejected all ceasefire proposals.

Arab mediators, with support from the U.S., have not been able to resolve the conflict despite two weeks of discussions. As part of the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released about three dozen hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners over six weeks.

Since the first phase of the ceasefire ended two weeks ago, Israel and Hamas have not agreed on the next steps. The second phase was supposed to secure the release of about 60 remaining hostages and end the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to restart military operations. Earlier this month, he also stopped food and aid deliveries to Gaza to pressure Hamas.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military offensive that, according to local health officials, has killed over 48,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza’s population. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than half of the casualties are women and children but does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

You might also be interested in - Trump sanctions ICC after arrest warrant for Israeli PM