210 killed as Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza, ends ceasefire

Israel violated and ended the ceasefire agreement, carrying out deadly airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, killing at least 210 people, including women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the enclave.

As per media reports, the strikes targeted multiple areas across the enclave, from north to south, with several hospitals reporting deaths and injuries.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Israel notified the Trump administration ahead of its “extensive strikes” in Gaza.

In an interview with Fox News, Leavitt said, “The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight – and as President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose.”

“All of the terrorists in the Middle East… Iranian-backed terror proxies and Iran themselves should take President Trump seriously when he says he’s not afraid to stand for law-abiding people,” she added.

Meanwhile, a Hamas leader said that Israel’s new airstrikes on Gaza are a “death sentence” for the remaining Israeli hostages held in the enclave.

Hamas leader and member of the group’s political bureau Ezzat al-Rishq claimed, “Netanyahu’s decision to return to war is a decision to sacrifice the prisoners of the occupation and a death sentence against them.”

On October 7, 2023, following Hamas's attack on Israel, Israel began its retaliatory attacks in the Gaza Strip and a genocide against the Palestinians. As of Tuesday, more than 48,500 people in Gaza have been killed, with more than 112,000 wounded.

The Israeli military has continued to operate inside Gaza since the start of the ceasefire on 19 January; however, Tuesday’s airstrikes are the clearest sign that efforts to extend the truce have collapsed.

The ceasefire was meant to have three phases. The first phase began in January, during which multiple hostages were released, and it expired on 1 March — but Hamas and Israel have been unable to agree on how to move into the second phase. The weeks since have been filled with thorny negotiations.

Hamas wanted to enter phase two — which would have seen Israeli troops fully withdraw from Gaza and the release of all living hostages held by Hamas. Israel, instead, pushed for an extension of phase one without committing to ending the war or withdrawing troops.