Airstrikes Devastate Gaza, Ceasefire Collapses
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, established in January 2025, has collapsed following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes across Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities, over 400 people, including many children, have been killed, and more than 560 injured in one of the deadliest days since the conflict began in October 2023.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has described the strikes as a "preemptive offensive" aimed at dismantling Hamas' military infrastructure and securing the release of hostages. Netanyahu has vowed to intensify military actions, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire and jeopardising ongoing negotiations mediated by Egypt and Qatar.
Hamas, which still holds 59 hostages from its October 2023 attack on Israel, has condemned the strikes as a breach of the ceasefire agreement. The group has called for international intervention, accusing Israel of endangering the lives of captives and undermining efforts for a permanent truce.
The airstrikes have targeted residential areas, displacing thousands and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hospitals, already strained by months of conflict, are overwhelmed with casualties. Witnesses describe scenes of devastation, with families fleeing their homes and bodies piling up in morgues.
The international community has expressed alarm over the escalation. Egypt, a key mediator in the ceasefire, has urged restraint and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed. The United Nations has convened an emergency session to address the crisis, while humanitarian organisations have highlighted the urgent need for aid in Gaza, where access to food, medicine, and shelter remains critically limited.
This latest escalation threatens to reignite the 17-month-long war, which has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and left much of Gaza in ruins. As both sides trade accusations, the prospect of a lasting peace appears increasingly distant.
