Over 200 killed in Gaza as Israel unleashes deadly large-scale airstrikes

Israel launched a series of deadly airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, killing more than 200 Palestinians, including children, in a large-scale assault that wreaked havoc on the enclave. The attacks took place early on Tuesday during suhoor time, forcing Palestinians to flee for their lives in panic.

Following the strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the attacks targeted Hamas due to the group's refusal to release captives or extend the first phase of the ceasefire.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

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The strikes hit multiple areas across Palestinian territory. At least 77 people were killed in Khan Younis, while at least 20 lost their lives in the north of Gaza city. Rafah and Deir Al-Balah were also targeted in the attacks.

Devastating visuals circulated on social media, showing lifeless Palestinian children and terrified civilians scrambling to safety as the Israeli strikes struck in the dead of night.

Hamas denounced the Israeli assault as a unilateral revocation of the ceasefire agreement, which had been in effect since January 19. The group accused Netanyahu of exposing Israeli captives to “an unknown fate.”

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According to Al Jazeera, negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to move forward with the talks.

Since the ceasefire began, Hamas had released three dozen hostages in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The next phase was expected to secure the release of 60 remaining Israeli hostages. However, Israel insisted on extending the first phase of the ceasefire until April and demanded the immediate release of captives.