US President Donald Trump "gave the green light" to Israel for a series of devastating airstrikes on Gaza, following Hamas's refusal to hand over hostages.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Israeli government informed the Trump administration ahead of the attacks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the consultation, reiterating Trump’s warning that any group, including Hamas, would face severe consequences for their actions, adding that “all hell will break loose.”
The airstrikes, which targeted key locations across Gaza, have been described as one of the most intense offensives. At least 400 Palestinians were killed, many of whom were women and children, with hundreds more injured.
The Israeli military labelled the strikes as "preemptive" actions aimed at dismantling Hamas leadership and military infrastructure. However, local health officials reported that the majority of the casualties were civilians caught in the crossfire.
This escalation follows the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations that had been in place since January. The first phase of the truce expired on March 1, and talks for a second phase collapsed over disagreements regarding the release of hostages and Israel's insistence on Hamas’s dismantling. With negotiations at an impasse, hostilities resumed, resulting in the deadly assault.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who authorised the airstrikes, vowed that military operations would continue with increasing force until Israel’s objectives were met, which include the release of hostages and the complete elimination of Hamas. His office also indicated that the offensive would continue for as long as necessary, raising fears of a return to full-scale war.
Hamas responded by accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire and endangering the lives of hostages, with several senior Hamas officials reported dead in the strikes. The group has called on mediators to hold Israel responsible for the breakdown of the agreement.
Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals have been struggling to cope with the mounting casualties, with many victims rushed to medical facilities in critical condition.
The humanitarian situation in the region has worsened, with the death toll in Gaza exceeding 48,000 since October 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities.
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