Israel's military has launched powerful airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip, causing at least 413 deaths and injuring at least 660 people. The airstrikes, which violated a ceasefire, targeted Hamas leaders, according to Israel. However, the majority of the casualties were women, children, and elderly people, as reported by officials from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

According to Israeli daily Maariv, Prime Minister Netanyahu's testimony regarding corruption charges against him has been postponed. Although the testimony was scheduled for Tuesday, Netanyahu requested a postponement due to the "security situation," and the court agreed to postpone it.

BBC reported that Gaza’s Deputy Interior Minister and Hamas's top security official, Mahmoud Abu Wafa, was killed in the attack.

This is the largest attack since the ceasefire in Gaza began on January 19. After a week of deadlock in discussions to extend the ceasefire, Israel resumed its attacks.

Reuters reported that airstrikes took place in several locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and central and southern Gaza, including Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah.

Eyewitnesses reported that during Ramadan, many were eating sehri (pre-dawn meal) when explosions began in Gaza. At least 20 Israeli warplanes were seen flying overhead.

Following the attacks, residents of Gaza rushed to find safe shelters, with some running to hospitals.

According to a stateme nt from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the attacks.

The statement said, "After Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all proposals from US President's envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators, this attack was carried out."

The statement added that from now on, Israel would escalate its military action against Hamas. The Israeli Defense Forces presented plans for attacks over the weekend, which were approved by political leadership.

Hamas has reacted angrily, accusing Israel of betrayal for breaking the ceasefire agreement. They stated that Israel has placed the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza in "unknown peril."

However, Hamas has not yet declared the resumption of war. Instead, they have called for intervention from mediators and the United Nations.

A White House spokesperson told Fox News that Israel had consulted with the Trump administration before carrying out the attacks.

BBC reported that after the first phase of the temporary ceasefire ended on March 1, mediators were looking for ways to extend it.

The US had proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, which included further prisoner and hostage exchanges.

However, a Palestinian official involved in indirect negotiations told BBC that there are disagreements between Israel and Hamas on the main points of Witkoff's proposed deal.

The latest Gaza war began following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This attack killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians. At that time, Hamas also took 251 people hostage.

According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health and reports from the United Nations and others, Israel's military response in the aftermath of that attack led to the deaths of over 48,000 people, most of them civilians.

More than 2.1 million people in Gaza have been displaced multiple times. Over 70% of the buildings have been destroyed or damaged. The health, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed, and there is a crisis regarding food, fuel, medicines, and shelter.

(Source: Al Jazeera)