At least 330 people were killed in Gaza on Tuesday as Israel launched extensive airstrikes targeting Hamas. The attack, the most intense since the ceasefire began on January 19, comes amid stalled truce negotiations. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, the strikes killed mostly women, children, and elderly individuals, while around 150 others were injured. Explosions were reported in multiple areas, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah.

Among those killed was Mahmud Abu Watfa, a senior Hamas official who led the group’s police and internal security services in Gaza.

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IDF Confirms Extensive Military Strikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes in a post on X, stating they were targeting Hamas sites in line with political directives. The military emphasized that these attacks were part of efforts to achieve their war objectives, including securing the release of hostages still held by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the strikes were a response to Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and their rejection of multiple negotiation proposals. Israel also announced the closure of all schools near Gaza due to security concerns.

Hamas Accuses Netanyahu of Using War for Political Gain

Hamas responded by accusing Netanyahu of sacrificing Israeli hostages for political survival. A Hamas official described the renewed attacks as a deliberate decision to impose a “death sentence” on captives. The group also blamed Netanyahu for violating the ceasefire agreement and putting prisoners in Gaza at risk.

Breakdown of Ceasefire Talks

Truce negotiations collapsed over disagreements about the next phase of the ceasefire. Israel wanted to extend the first phase of the deal until mid-April, demanding the complete demilitarization of Gaza and the removal of Hamas. However, Hamas insisted that hostages would only be released under the terms of the second phase, which was supposed to start on March 2.

Last week, Hamas had proposed releasing American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander along with the remains of four hostages if Israel committed to starting phase two talks immediately. However, Israel dismissed the proposal, accusing Hamas of psychological warfare.

War Toll Continues to Rise

The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on both sides. Since Hamas launched a cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023—killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages—Israel has carried out sustained retaliatory airstrikes. According to reports, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 112,000 injured.