The number of people killed in the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has reached 413. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, more than 50 children and 28 women were killed.
Munir al-Barsh, director general of the Hamas-run health ministry, said more than 660 were injured. According to him, the injured are being treated in various hospitals. Doctors say that the condition of some of the injured is very serious.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying that it has resumed attacks 'targeting terrorists' associated with Hamas. The IDF launched the attack at 2:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
According to international media, air strikes were carried out in Deir al-Balah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah and other places in central Gaza. This is the largest airstrike in Gaza since the January 19 ceasefire.
Hamas has accused Israel of attacking unarmed civilians. Hamas says that mediators should hold Israel fully responsible for violating the ceasefire.
Talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed in recent days. Israel says it launched the attack because Hamas has repeatedly refused to release hostages and rejected offers to extend the ceasefire. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the IDF will take action against Hamas with increased military power from now on.
Earlier, a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that 'Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz gave the order for the airstrikes on Tuesday morning'.
'This is a response to Hamas' continued refusal to release our hostages and the rejection of proposals put forward by the US President's special envoy Steve Wittkoff and mediators,' the statement said, 'From now on, Israel will use increased military power against Hamas.'
The plan for the attack was said to have been 'presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership'.
After the first phase of the temporary ceasefire expired on March 1, negotiators were looking for the next step. The US proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, which included the release of hostages by Hamas and the release of additional Palestinian prisoners by Israel.
However, according to a Palestinian official involved in the negotiations, according to the BBC, Israel and Hamas have disagreed on some important points in the agreement.
