Israel Resumes Attacks On Gaza After Truce, Over 400 Killed In Airstrikes

The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed on Tuesday as Israel resumed military operations in Gaza, launching intense airstrikes that have killed more than 400 people. The renewed attacks have left entire neighborhoods devastated, with Palestinian families once again caught in the crossfire.

According to reports from Gaza's civil defense agency, Israeli airstrikes early Thursday morning killed at least 70 people, including women and children. The Israeli military has also moved ground forces back into Gaza, retaking parts of the Netzarim corridor, which separates northern and southern Gaza. Initially abandoned during the ceasefire, the corridor is now being reinforced as a buffer zone for targeted operations. Civilians have been urged to evacuate, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.

Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Katz, issued a stern warning to Gaza residents, stating that this was their "last chance" to return hostages taken in the October 7, 2023 attack and to distance themselves from Hamas. He also referenced U.S. President Joe Biden's stance, suggesting that if Hamas is removed, civilians might have options to leave Gaza for other countries.

Tuesday's airstrikes, Katz warned, were "just the first step." He threatened Hamas with an unprecedented wave of bombardment unless they surrendered control of Gaza and released all captives.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since Israel restarted its offensive on Tuesday, at least 436 people have been killed, including 183 children and 94 women, with 678 others wounded.

A Hamas spokesperson, Abdel-Latif al-Qanou, condemned Israel's military advance, claiming that the recapture of the buffer zone between North and South Gaza signals a full-scale war and a return to a blockade that will further isolate Gaza from humanitarian aid.

Tensions have spread beyond Gaza. On Thursday, Yemen launched a missile toward Israel, but Israeli defense systems intercepted it before it reached its target.

While the initial ceasefire had briefly paused hostilities, talks to extend it collapsed. Israel pushed for an extension of the previous truce, while Hamas demanded a total ceasefire, leading to the breakdown of negotiations.

With the conflict intensifying once again, civilians in Gaza find themselves bracing for more devastation, as the possibility of peace seems farther away than ever.