Israeli Defense Minister Jisrael Kac said on Tuesday night that Israel “Restores Fights” in the Gaza Strip and declared that The attacks will continue until all the remaining hostages are released. During intensive night air attacks across Gaza, at least 66 people were killed and another 150 were injured, TASR reports according to Times of Israel (Toi) and world agencies.
Israel said the wave of air attacks in the Gaza Strip launched due to insufficient progress in the ongoing talks on the extension of the ceasefire. It was immediately clear whether it was a one -time pressure operation or whether the 17 months of war is renewed completely, writes AP.
According to Israeli representatives, the attacks were focused on the infrastructure of the Palestinian militant Hamas movement, its medium -sized leadership and members of the group of the group. They were ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“Tonight we returned to Gaza’s fighting because Hamas refused to release hostages And given his threats to hurt the soldiers of the Israeli armed forces and the Israeli communities, “Kac said.” “The gates of hell will open in Gaza.”
Before the attacks, the armed forces of Israel have reportedly revealed the intention of Hamas to re -arm, regroup and then attack Israel. Toi writes that the army intends to continue the air raids “as long as it will be needed” And expand the surprising attack beyond the air campaign if this is ordered. According to the army, Israeli forces are deployed on all fronts.
A high -ranking Hamas representative for Reuters said that Israel unilaterally terminated the ceasefire agreement. The movement issued a statement stating that Israel exhibits hostages “unknown fate” by the restoration of aggression in Gaza. At the same time, Hamas called on the intermediaries of the conflict to bear the full responsibility for terminating the ceasefire agreement.
In the Gaza Strip since January 19, a ceasefire, which suspended more than 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the ceasefire, however, officially ended almost two weeks ago and both sides did not agree on its continuation or procedure for the second phase. During this, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave should be completely withdrawn for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
Israel agreed to extend the first phase by mid -April. Hamas, however, asks for the transition to the next phase. The Israeli Government in connection with the negative attitude of Hamas has stopped the aid to the war of the destroyed Gaza Strip and then interrupted the supply of electricity to this territory.
