Israel has launched a significant airstrike on the Gaza Strip on the 18th, amid stalled negotiations to extend the truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 330 people were killed in the airstrike. As Israel resumes large-scale airstrikes on the Gaza Strip with increasing Palestinian casualties, negotiations for extending the truce that began on October 7, 2023, following a surprise attack by Hamas, are believed to have reached an impasse. The two sides initially agreed to a six-week truce on January 19, intending to gradually pursue an extension and a ceasefire.
The Israeli military explained the recent attack as a preemptive strike targeting military leaders, infrastructure, and leadership of Hamas, accusing them of preparing for terror attacks against Israel and rearming. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the airstrikes were prompted by Hamas rejecting all proposals by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators.
According to Reuters and The Times of Israel, the Israeli airstrikes were widespread across the Gaza Strip. Israel also signaled potential escalation, with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declaring that they would continue fighting until all hostages had returned home and all war objectives were achieved.
Hamas has not retaliated against Israel, which is understood as an attempt to emphasize that Israel is responsible for breaking the ceasefire, amid a significant weakening of its military capability due to Israel’s concentrated attacks. Instead, Hamas criticized, “Prime Minister Netanyahu and his extremist government have decided to overturn the ceasefire agreement, exposing hostages in Gaza to an uncertain fate.” However, continued Israeli airstrikes could jeopardize the lives of hostages currently held by Hamas.
Some have suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his supporters are intensifying airstrikes on Gaza to find a breakthrough amid his political crisis, exacerbated by allegations of personal corruption and responsibility for the outbreak of the Gaza war.