Gaza’s tenuous ceasefire was abruptly broken early Tuesday as Israel launched lethal airstrikes throughout the region, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to escalate military action against Hamas.
According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, at least 66 individuals have lost their lives and many more have been injured due to the recent Israeli bombardments.
The assault on Gaza intensified early Tuesday, with Israeli officials stating that the strikes were aimed at Hamas leadership.
Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for Civil Defense, reported that among the casualties were at least five children, and several individuals remain trapped beneath the debris.
Israel consulted the Trump administration before launching strikes in Gaza
The Israeli government informed the Trump administration prior to initiating its “extensive strikes” in Gaza, as stated by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis regarding their actions in Gaza tonight. President Trump has made it clear that Hamas, the Houthis, and all those who aim to terrorize not only Israel but also the United States will face consequences. There will be significant repercussions,” Leavitt remarked during an interview with Fox News.
“All terrorists in the Middle East, including Iranian-backed proxies and Iran itself, should heed President Trump’s warning that he is committed to defending law-abiding citizens.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the military operation, accusing Hamas of consistently refusing to release hostages and dismissing all proposals from U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators.
Israeli officials accuse Hamas of refusing to release hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have initiated military operations in Gaza, citing Hamas’s persistent refusal to release hostages and its rejection of mediation efforts.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office indicated, “The IDF is actively targeting Hamas terrorist organization sites across the Gaza Strip, aiming to fulfill the war objectives set by the political leadership, which includes securing the release of all hostages, both living and deceased.”
An Israeli official described the extensive assault on Gaza that began early Tuesday as “preemptive,” although they refrained from disclosing specific details regarding Hamas’s alleged preparations for terrorist activities, force buildup, and rearmament.
“We cannot provide further details to avoid giving the enemy any advantage,” the official stated.
The official noted that the strikes are aimed at Hamas’s mid-level military commanders, leadership figures, and terrorist infrastructure.
The operations will persist “for as long as necessary and will extend beyond airstrikes,” according to the Israeli official.
The operation is being coordinated from Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv, under the supervision of the chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the head of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency.
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