Israel launched a massive attack on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians following a ceasefire in January.
Rescue workers have confirmed that at least 326 people have died, according to international media reports.
On Tuesday, Israel carried out intense attacks across the Gaza region, including Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza, as well as Gaza City and Deir al-Balah in the central and northern areas, according to Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reported that most of those killed were children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
“326 martyrs’ bodies have arrived at Gaza’s hospitals,” the Palestinian Health Minister stated. “Many more victims are still trapped under the rubble.”
Hamas, which governs Gaza, has said that Israel’s attack is seen as a unilateral cancellation of the ceasefire that began on January 19.
Additionally, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deciding to “resume the war” following a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations.
Before launching the wave of attacks, Israel consulted with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, the White House confirmed. Rescue workers reported that most of the casualties were women, children, and the elderly.
“Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all proposals from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators, which led to the operation being ordered,” Netanyahu’s office stated in a press release. “Israel will now take stronger military action against Hamas.”
An Israeli official said that the military campaign would last “as long as necessary” and was expected to “expand beyond airstrikes.”
“Netanyahu and his extremist government have decided to overturn the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement.
Accusing the Israeli Prime Minister of using the conflict as a political “lifeline” amid internal crises, Hamas stated, “Netanyahu’s decision to resume the war is a choice to sacrifice the prisoners in captivity and sentence them to death.”
AFP footage showed people rushing stretchers carrying injured individuals, including small children, into Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Bodies covered in white sheets were also taken to the hospital morgue.
