TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The relatively calm of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended abruptly on Tuesday when Israel launched dozens of attacks on targets across the Gaza Strip. Palestinian medical personnel say more than 400 people have been killed, mostly women and children. Israel says the operation is unlimited and expected to expand, raising fears that the 17-month war is fully governed.
Here’s what you need to know about how the strike came about and what’s coming next:
What happened to the ceasefire?
The ceasefire agreed to a three-stage plan in mid-January, with the initial plan actually ending two weeks ago. Israel has announced that substantial negotiations will enter into phase 2, aimed at leading to a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of all hostages Hamas took in the attack on Israel that launched the war against Israel in 2023.
The agreement reached after more than a year of negotiations through the US, Egypt and Qatar, said the ceasefire was to continue as long as discussions on the second phase were underway.
In the first phase, Hamas returned the 25 living hostages and the other eight bodies in exchange for the release of nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also retreated for the buffer zone within Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of displaced people returning to northern Gaza. Up until the second phase, no further hostage releases were called under the contract.
Hundreds of aid trucks were in every day. But two weeks ago, Israel cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other supplies to about 2 million people on the territory, putting pressure on Hamas to accept the new proposal.
In the new plan, Hamas calls for the release of half of the remaining hostages (the main negotiation tip of extremist groups) in exchange for a promise to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire and a permanent ceasefire. Israel has not mentioned the release of more Palestinian prisoners, an important element of the first stage.
Hamas rejected the new proposal and accused Israel of trying to thwart the existing agreement.
Is a ceasefire invalid?
Unless mediators intervene, Israel’s surprise attacks could mean a complete return to the 17-month war battle that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction throughout Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who repeatedly threatened to resume the war, said Hamas ordered a strike because he rejected the new proposal. He said Israel “from now on, we will act against Hamas while increasing our military strength.”
The White House said it was consulted and expressed support for Israel’s actions.
Hamas accused Netanyahu of defeating the ceasefire contract and “exposed the remaining hostages to an unknown fate.” In a statement, he called on the mediators to “take full responsibility for violating and overturning the agreement.”
The attack came in the Holy Month of Muslims in Ramadan. Although there have not been any major battles in Gaza since the ceasefire took hold on January 19th, Israeli strikes have killed dozens of Palestinians who have said they have entered areas where the military has not been permitted, engaged in extremist activities, or violated the ceasefire.
What is the situation at Netanyahu?
Netanyahu is under domestic pressure as massive protests are planned over handling the hostage crisis and his decision to fire Israel’s head of internal security.
The hostage family, still held in Gaza, expressed concern to their loved ones on Tuesday. “We are shocked, angry and feared by the intentional dismantling of the process in order to return our loved ones from the horrifying prisoners of Hamas,” the Hostage Family Forum said.
However, Netanyahu also faces demands from his hard-hitting allies to not allow trade in Gaza, which is not as good as Hamas’ destruction. Negotiations with Hamas in the second phase may have put pressure on compromise on how Gaza will be controlled in the future.
Netanyahu must meet the end of the month deadline for passing the budget. Otherwise, his government will collapse and the country will be forced to vote early. He is struggling to reach an agreement with his coalition partner.
Following Tuesday’s strike, Itamar Ben Gwil’s far-right Jewish power party announced it would return to Netanyahu’s coalition. Ben Gwil left the government in January via a ceasefire.
Netanyahu critics have also argued for his decision to fire Israel’s director of internal security, and the other series of firings are part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining independent government agencies.
They say they are doing this to maintain power during trial due to face allegations of corruption and public pressure in order to accept his own responsibility for the failure of the policy led to Hamas’ surprise attacks on October 7, 2023.
What else is happening?
The resumption of the battle in Gaza could have an impact around the region.
Houthi rebels supported by Yemeni Iran have condemned Israeli strikes, saying, “The Palestinians will not be left in this fight.” It indicates the possible attacks of Houchys on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The US launched new airstrikes over the weekend, targeting Yemeni Houtis in retaliation for attacks on ships. At least 53 people were reported to have died.
US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that he would “suffer the consequences” of further Hooty attacks, threatening to further expand the conflict.
The new Gaza violence could also shake up the ceasefire that Israel reached with Hezbollah in November, stopping a months-long fatal fire exchange at Israel’s Lebanon border.
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Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press authors Lee Keith of Cairo Joseph Federman of Elsalam and John Gambrel of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to the report.
