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Israel Launches Airstrikes on Gaza, Killing at Least 69
Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 69 Palestinians, in its heaviest assault since a ceasefire took effect in January.
Grey, map, text, and gaza by CHUTTERSNAP (@chuttersnap)
Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 69 Palestinians and injuring many more. The Israeli military said it was targeting dozens of Hamas targets in its heaviest assault on the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes, citing a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Israeli officials said the operation was open-ended and would expand beyond airstrikes. Netanyahu's office warned that “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”
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The surprise attack shattered a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and raised fears of a full-scale return to fighting in the 17-month war. The conflict has already killed over 48,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza.
The airstrikes also raised concerns about the fate of roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Hamas condemned the Israeli attacks, saying they put the hostages' lives in jeopardy. US envoy Steve Witkoff warned over the weekend that Hamas must release living hostages immediately “or pay a severe price.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed that "the gates of hell will open in Gaza" if the hostages are not released. Israel has demanded that Hamas release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas, however, wants to follow the original ceasefire deal, which calls for negotiations on the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The airstrikes came two months after a ceasefire was reached to pause the war. Despite the ceasefire, talks on a second phase have stalled, and the situation remains volatile. A resumption of the war threatens to reverse any progress made toward halting Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
