Israel’s Airstrikes in Gaza Kill Over 400 as Netanyahu Warns: “It’s Only the Beginning”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, holding Hamas accountable for sparking renewed conflict and justifying the resumption of military strikes in Gaza. He accused Hamas of invading Israeli communities, committing brutal acts, and refusing multiple offers to free hostages. Netanyahu explained that despite a two-week pause in military action aimed at encouraging Hamas to change its approach, a rejected proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff left him no alternative but to order a fresh offensive.
In his address, Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s operations target only Hamas militants and not Palestinian civilians, urging residents to move to safer areas. He also thanked President Trump for his steadfast support and vowed that Israel would persist in its efforts to defeat Hamas and secure the return of the hostages.
This statement came just hours after Israel launched a major aerial assault over the Gaza Strip. Local health officials reported that the strikes have killed at least 404 Palestinians and injured more than 560, abruptly ending a ceasefire that had been in place since January. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, many of those killed were women and children.
Hamas, however, claimed that the strikes also eliminated at least six senior officials, including the head of its civilian government and key security leaders. Israeli forces maintained that their targets were only the military and political figures responsible for attacks on Israeli citizens. Netanyahu warned that this is only the beginning, promising that Israel will continue its operations until all its objectives are met and cautioning that future ceasefire talks might take place amid ongoing hostilities.
In addition, the Israeli military has instructed residents in eastern Gaza to evacuate toward the center of the territory, a move seen as preparation for a possible ground operation. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the deteriorating situation, as supplies of food, medicine, and fuel are rapidly diminishing following the cut-off of deliveries two weeks ago.
The conflict, which ignited on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 48,500 Palestinian lives, according to local health officials. It began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducting 251 hostages. Despite several ceasefires, the fighting has nearly devastated Gaza, displacing about 90% of its population.
The United States has reiterated its support for Israel, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes emphasizing that Hamas is to blame for the renewed violence, even though the ceasefire agreement brokered with U.S. help did not require Hamas to release additional hostages for its extension.