Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday vowed to intensify military operations in Gaza, warning that the air strikes that killed over 400 Palestinians overnight were “only the beginning.”
In a televised address, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue to strike Hamas with “increasing force” and ruled out negotiations for a ceasefire unless they took place “under fire.”
“Hamas has already felt the weight of our force in the last 24 hours, and I want to assure you – and them – this is only the beginning,” he said. “We will continue to fight to achieve all our goals – the release of all our hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
The renewed bombardment follows the collapse of a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19. The overnight air strikes targeted several areas across the besieged enclave, including Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, Gaza City in the north, and central regions such as Deir el-Balah.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 404 Palestinians, many of them children, were killed in the attacks, while more than 560 others sustained injuries. Entire families were reportedly wiped out in the strikes, which flattened residential buildings.
Deadlock in negotiations
The resumption of hostilities comes amid stalled efforts to negotiate the second phase of a ceasefire deal, which had aimed to secure the release of nearly 60 remaining Israeli captives and work towards a permanent truce.
Last week, Israel rejected a proposal by Hamas to release an American-Israeli dual national and the bodies of four deceased captives in exchange for further talks and the lifting of the Israeli blockade imposed earlier this month.
Hamas has so far released around three dozen captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the truce, which expired on March 1 after six weeks.
Before Israel’s offensive, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been attempting to broker a “bridge” proposal aimed at extending the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover. The deal would have seen Hamas release additional captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, paving the way for discussions on a permanent ceasefire.
However, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the impasse, accusing the group of rejecting the US-backed proposal.
“While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump’s special envoy, Hamas flatly refused to do so,” he said. “This is why I authorised the renewal of military action against Hamas.”
Civilian toll rises
As international condemnation mounts over the growing civilian toll, Netanyahu sought to shift responsibility onto Hamas, urging Palestinians to distance themselves from the group.
“Palestinian civilians should avoid any contact with Hamas terrorists,” he said. “I call on the people of Gaza—get out of harm’s way. Move to safer areas. Every civilian casualty is a tragedy, and every civilian casualty is the fault of Hamas.”
The latest escalation threatens to deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the United Nations has repeatedly warned of dire shortages of food, water, and medical supplies due to the Israeli blockade.
While regional and international mediators continue efforts to revive talks, the prospects of an immediate truce remain uncertain, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
