Hundreds In Gaza Killed After Israeli Strikes End Ceasefire
Hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza have been killed overnight after Israeli airstrikes ended the short-lived ceasefire.
330 people were killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, while over 250 have been injured. The strikes began at 2am (local time) and are still ongoing, however, the intensity has decreased.
Since the ceasefire was announced, hundreds of citizens migrated back to Gaza and lived in tents without fearing for their lives, up until last night.
The Israeli government gave the White House notice before launching the strikes, an Israeli official told the BBC’s US partner CBS.
Hamas released a statement, describing the attacks as “treacherous” and saying the Israeli government had decided to overturn the ceasefire “exposing the prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate”.
Not long after, an Israeli official said the IDF made this decision “based on Hamas readiness to execute terror attacks, build up force and re-arm”.
At around 4am local time, it was reported that the highest-ranking Hamas security official in the territory, Mahmoud Abu Wafah, had been killed.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will “from now on act against Hamas with increasing military strength”, accusing Hamas of “repeated refusal to release our hostages”, and of rejecting proposals to extend the ceasefire.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, shared a similar statement, warning that the bombardment will continue as long as their requests are not satisfied.
Featured image via Getty Images
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