Israel unleashed a surprise assault across Gaza overnight, launching a barrage of airstrikes to end a fragile ceasefire. Palestinian sources say hundreds were killed in dozens of strikes.
The Israeli attacks continued Tuesday, with the IDF warning residents in northern and southern Gaza to avoid combat zones due to intensive military operations.
The IDF targeted multiple Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives and sites, hitting terror squads, launch positions, arms caches and other military assets. The army reportedly eliminated at least five senior Hamas members in the initial wave of strikes, including the directors of several ministries.
The spokesman of Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Abu Hamza, was killed in strike in central Gaza, according to Arab sources.
The assault, coordinated by the IDF and Shin Bet, utilized precise intel gathered during the truce to identify hundreds of new targets. Israel timed the attacks to coincide with nighttime Ramadan meals, catching Hamas members off-guard at their gathering spots, Maariv Online reported. Dozens of aircraft struck multiple targets in parallel to maximize Hamas casualties, the report said.
Israel braces for attacks from Gaza, Yemen
The renewed offensive, widely supported by Israel’s political leadership and security chiefs, follows stalled hostage negotiations and intel indicating Hamas intended to resume attacks. Defense Minister Katz warned that the “gates of hell will open” if Hamas does not release all the hostages held in Gaza.
The US confirmed that Israel shared its attack plans with the Trump admin, which offered support for Jerusalem’s military moves.
However, as fighting resumed, Israel braced for retaliation. Kan News reported preparations for rocket and missile fire from Gaza and Yemen, with bomb shelters opened in Tel Aviv-area towns. The IDF Home Front Command imposed strict security measures in southern Israel, closing schools near Gaza and halting train traffic.
Meanwhile, mediators were pushing for the release of several hostages to secure an urgent truce, Al Arabiya reported. But Israel is refusing to extend the ceasefire for now, prioritizing its military objectives.