Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, saying it was hitting Hamas targets in its heaviest assault in the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January.
Palestinian officials have reported dozens of deaths, according to hospitals receiving bodies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the ceasefire and release hostages. Officials said the operation was open-ended and expected to expand.
Hamas warned that Israel’s new airstrikes breached the ceasefire and put the fate of hostages in jeopardy.
Senior Hamas official says Gaza strikes amount to ‘death sentence’ for remaining hostages
A senior Hamas official says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to launch widespread strikes on the Gaza Strip amounts to a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages held there.
In a statement early Tuesday, Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, accused Netanyahu of resuming the war to try and save his far-right governing coalition.
“Netanyahu’s decision to return to war is a decision to sacrifice the (Israeli) occupation’s captives and a death sentence against them,” he said.
He said Israel didn’t respect its commitments in the ceasefire deal reached in January and urged mediators to “reveal facts” on which side broke the agreement.
How many hostages are left in Gaza?
Israel unleashed a new wave of strikes on Gaza, ending a break in fighting during which 33 Israeli hostages were returned in return for the release of nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Defense Minister Israel Katz said fighting would continue until all hostages were released.
A total of 59 hostages are still being held by Hamas. Of those, Israel believes 35 are dead.
