The Gaza ceasefire, eagerly anticipated, has disintegrated as the Israeli Prime Minister directed significant military strikes on the Palestinian enclave. This action came after the Israeli PM accused Hamas of a blatant breach of the peace agreement, while Hamas retaliated by alleging 125 violations by Israel.
Israel disclosed that a coffin delivered by Hamas on Monday did not contain the expected body of a deceased captive. The ceasefire, which lasted two weeks, has now ended with a surge of violence and extensive military actions being initiated.
According to Gazan authorities, since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, Israel has caused the deaths of 94 Palestinians in the Strip. In a statement on Tuesday, Hamas accused Israel of trying to create false reasons to justify taking aggressive actions in Gaza.
Hamas claimed that Israel is impeding efforts to search for bodies in the Strip and urged mediators to allow humanitarian operations without political interference. Tonight, fearful Palestinians throughout the Strip are preparing for potential renewed Israeli assaults.
Earlier on Tuesday, reports emerged of intense gunfire and explosions in Rafah, southern Gaza. Israel accused Hamas of misidentifying the remains of the most recently returned captive, which actually belonged to an abductee whose body was recovered two years ago.
Israel’s conflict with Gaza has resulted in at least 68,527 deaths and 170,395 injuries since it began in October 2023. During the October 7, 2023 attacks led by Hamas, 1,200 people were killed in Israel, with around 200 taken as captives.
The October 7 attacks triggered additional conflicts for Israel against groups such as Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis, pro-Iran Iraqi militia, and Syrian factions. These events also led to joint US-Israeli strikes earlier this year on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in Tehran.
Many of Israel’s adversaries, affiliated with Iran, have now been severely weakened, potentially taking years to regain their former capabilities. The Iranian regime’s sponsors have also suffered significant setbacks due to prolonged warfare against Israel, resulting in significant losses for Hamas in Gaza.
Critics have accused Netanyahu of provocative actions aimed at undermining the ceasefire agreement. An analyst from the European Council on Foreign Relations stated that Netanyahu has been attempting to find ways to resume hostilities in Gaza since the ceasefire began.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement, necessitating extensive diplomatic efforts to mend the peace deal. It is reported that US President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the level of Israeli military operations in Gaza.