At least 104 Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza on Tuesday night, the territory's Hamas-run health ministry says. The Israeli military stated that it targeted 'dozens of terror targets and terrorists' in response to breaches of a ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of crossing 'a bright red line' by launching an attack that killed an IDF soldier. Hamas denied this claim, stating it was being unfairly blamed while asserting its commitment to the ceasefire.
US President Donald Trump reiterated support for Israel, emphasizing that they should respond to attacks but maintained that the ceasefire would not be jeopardized.
Airstrikes have struck residential areas, schools, and homes throughout Gaza, with witnesses describing harrowing scenes of destruction as explosions shook the buildings. Reports indicate that 46 children and 20 women were among the dead, and more than 250 people were injured.
The renewed combat has drawn international condemnation, particularly as the situation among civilians remains dire. A UN official has described the loss of life as 'appalling' and called for restraint from both sides to preserve any chance for peace.
Despite Netanyahu's announcement of defensive military actions, Hamas and Israeli sources have continued to clash over the credibility of each other's claims regarding hostilities and negotiations surrounding hostages. The cycle of violence raises serious concerns over the effectiveness of the current ceasefire and the future implications for other ongoing negotiations in the region.
