Israel launches heavy airstrikes on Gaza, over 400 killed amid ceasefire collapse

The Red Cross said many medical facilities in the Gaza Strip were “overwhelmed” in the aftermath of the attacks.

“What we heard from Palestine Crescent colleagues this morning is that many medical facilities are literally overwhelmed across Gaza,” Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said at a briefing in Geneva.

“In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli army said in a post on X.

An Israeli government statement accused Hamas of rejecting multiple ceasefire proposals. “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, according to Reuters.

Hostages and ceasefire breakdown

The ceasefire, established in January, initially saw Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, talks over the remaining 59 Israeli hostages broke down. Hamas insisted that Israel commit to a full withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel sought an extended truce without making such a concession.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. “We demand that the mediators hold Netanyahu and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for overturning the deal,” the group said in a statement reported by AP.

US consultation and military targets

The White House has confirmed that it was consulted by Israel before the latter resumed its attacks against Hamas in Gaza, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight,” Leavitt stated, adding “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran — all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America — will see a price to pay, All hell will break lose”, according to a report by AP.

Worsening humanitarian crisis

Gaza’s health ministry, cited by BBC, said over 48,500 people have died since the war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has left much of Gaza in ruins, with about 70% of buildings damaged or destroyed, severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, and most of the 2.1 million population displaced.

A Gaza resident told AP,  “There is no safe place left. The bombings do not stop.” The situation remains critical as international mediators struggle to find a way to restart talks.

(with inputs from agencies)

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