Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the latest wave of air strikes on Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinians dead, marks just the start of a broader military offensive. In a televised address on Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would intensify their attacks on Hamas, stressing that any future ceasefire negotiations would take place “under fire.”
“Hamas has already felt the weight of our force in the past 24 hours, and I want to make it clear—this is only the beginning,” he said. “We will press on until we achieve our war objectives—freeing all our hostages, eliminating Hamas, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
His comments followed a devastating bombardment across the Gaza Strip that broke a fragile truce with Hamas, in place since January 19. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the strikes killed at least 404 Palestinians—many of them children—and injured over 560 others. The attacks hit several areas including Khan Younis, Rafah, Gaza City, and Deir el-Balah, reportedly wiping out entire families.
Negotiations for a second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal have stalled, with Israel insisting on extending the first phase—now expired since March 1—through mid-April. Last week, Israel rejected a Hamas proposal to release an American-Israeli dual national and return the bodies of four captives in exchange for beginning phase two talks and lifting a newly imposed blockade.
Since the start of the ceasefire, Hamas has released about three dozen hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been advocating a “bridge” deal to extend the truce beyond Ramadan and Passover by facilitating further hostage releases.
Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the breakdown in talks, stating: “Israel accepted the proposal from President Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, but Hamas refused. That is why I authorized the renewal of military action.”
He also claimed Hamas bears full responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza. “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy—but that blame lies with Hamas,” he said. “I urge Gazans to distance themselves from Hamas operatives and move to safer areas.”