The Gaza ceasefire, which was eagerly anticipated, has fallen apart as the Israeli Prime Minister directed his troops to carry out “intense strikes” on the Palestinian area. This action came after the Israeli PM accused Hamas of violating the peace agreement, while Hamas retaliated by alleging that Israel had committed 125 breaches of the ceasefire.
Israel reported that a coffin delivered by Hamas on Monday did not contain the body of a deceased hostage they were expecting. This development marked the end of the two-week ceasefire, ushering in a wave of violence and significant military strikes.
According to officials in Gaza, since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israel has been responsible for the deaths of 94 Palestinians within the region. Hamas issued a statement on Tuesday accusing Israel of trying to create false reasons to justify further aggressive actions in Gaza.
Hamas mentioned that Israel was impeding efforts to search for bodies in the area and urged mediators to allow humanitarian organizations to perform their duties without political or aggressive interference. Palestinians in Gaza are now preparing for potential renewed attacks by Israel.
Earlier on Tuesday, there were reports of gunfire and explosions in southern Gaza. Israel claimed that Hamas had misidentified the remains of a recently returned captive, whose body had been recovered two years ago.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 68,527 individuals and injuries to 170,395 since its inception in October 2023. During the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, 1,200 people were killed in Israel, with around 200 individuals taken captive.
The October 7 attacks triggered multiple fronts for Israel, including clashes with Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthis, pro-Iran Iraqi militia, and Syrian groups. This escalation also led to US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year, targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities.
The forces opposing Israel, which are backed by Iran, have suffered severe setbacks, and it may take years for them to regain their former strength. Additionally, Iran’s support for these groups has diminished due to prolonged conflicts with Israel, resulting in significant losses for Hamas in Gaza.
Critics have accused Netanyahu of provocation aimed at undermining the ceasefire agreement. Muhammad Shehada, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, stated that Netanyahu has been attempting to find ways to resume hostilities in Gaza since the beginning of the ceasefire.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, necessitating significant diplomatic efforts to restore the peace agreement. It is reported that US President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the Israeli military’s actions against Gaza.