GAZA — Israeli occupation forces launched a fresh wave of aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip after midnight, killing at least 210 people at latest count, and resuming its genocide of Palestinians after a two-month hiatus.
The 210 figure was reported by CNN, which said the strikes began early Tuesday morning.
Bernama-WAFA meanwhile, reported that strikes were conducted across the Gaza Strip, in northern, southern and central parts of the enclave.
Areas struck include the Nuseirat and Al-Bureij refugee camps in the central part, and the Jabailia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
Civilian homes around these camps were also struck and many bodies are believed to be still under the rubble.
A school sheltering displaced families in the Al-Daraj neighbourhood in Gaza City was also bombed.
Bernama-Anadolu reported Israel military spokesman Avichay Adraee saying that the strikes were carried out “based on directives from the political echelon, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and Shin bet forces”.
Adraee on X said that these forces “are launching a large-scale attack on Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office was also reported saying that the army had been instructed to take “strong action” against Hamas in Gaza.
“This follows Hamas’s repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and the mediators,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
A White House spokesperson confirmed Monday that Israel had consulted with the United States on its airstrikes in Gaza.
The first phase of the Jan 19 ceasefire expired on March 1 and was to be extended based negotiations on the release of hostages by Hamas and the withdrawal of Israel forces from Gaza.
Both sides, however, were unable to agree on the way forward to extend the pause in fighting.
Despite the ceasefire, local authorities in Gaza have reported almost daily violations by the Israeli army.
Israel has already cut of water and electricity to Gaza, and blocked the entry of humanitarian aid.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 48,500 Palestinians since October 2023, most of them women and children, leaving Gaza in ruins. – March 18, 2025