
Israel Resumes Offensive in Gaza as Ceasefire Collapses
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas shattered on Tuesday, bringing an end to two months of relative calm. The Israeli military resumed its bombardment of Gaza, citing Hamas’s continued refusal to release hostages. In response, Hamas launched rocket attacks into Israel, though no casualties have been reported on the Israeli side. Since the fighting reignited, it is alleged by Hamas that over 400 people have been killed in Gaza.
Of the more than 250 hostages originally seized by Hamas during the October 7th, 2023, attacks, 59 remain captive. Reports indicate that 24 of them are believed to be alive. The failure of negotiations to secure their release has only escalated tensions, prompting Israel to take further action.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has signalled an expansion of Israel’s control in Gaza. He has instructed the military to seize additional territory and facilitate evacuations, emphasizing that Hamas will continue to lose ground unless it agrees to release the remaining hostages. Katz also referenced plans to implement former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “voluntary transfer plan” for Gaza residents, hinting at broader strategic objectives in the region.
Egypt, a key mediator in previous ceasefire talks, has condemned Israel’s renewed offensive. Egyptian officials have described the resumption of hostilities as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and warned of potential “ripple effects” from the escalating violence. While Cairo has historically played a central role in de-escalation efforts, its ability to rein in the conflict remains uncertain.
The ongoing war continues to polarize global opinion. Critics of Hamas argue that the group’s manipulation of casualty figures and propaganda efforts have fuelled Western sympathy, ultimately prolonging the war. They point to statements from the now-eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who had instructed militants to leverage media narratives to their advantage. Supporters of Hamas, however, claim that the group’s actions are part of a broader struggle against what they perceive as Zionist oppression. While many recognize the war as having been initiated by Hamas’s brutal October 7 attack, others frame it as a continuation of decades-long hostilities in the region.
As Israel advances its operations, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. With no resolution in sight, the conflict appears poised to enter an even more intense and unpredictable phase.