Israel strikes Gaza Strip after Hamas fails to release hostages

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Israel launched a surprise wave of strikes across the Gaza Strip, targeting key Hamas infrastructure and leadership. This escalation comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release Israeli hostages under conditions proposed by Israel and backed by US mediators. Despite extensive negotiations, including direct involvement from Washington, Hamas chose to reject every proposal put forward, prompting Israel to resume military operations aimed at further weakening the terror group’s capabilities.

Among those killed in last night’s Israeli air strikes on Gaza were senior Hamas official Issam al-Da’alis, depicted as the king of spades in the playing card collection of Hamas’s leadership targets, Major General Mahmoud Abu Watfa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, and Brigadier-General Bahjat Abu Sultan, head of central operations in the Gaza Interior Ministry, according to Saudi outlet al-Hadath. Additionally, several Hamas battalion and company commanders were eliminated, and key command and control centers were destroyed.

Israeli officials made it clear that the strikes were only the beginning

While Israel’s air strikes marked the immediate return to war, the breakdown of the ceasefire was the direct result of Hamas’s own decisions. A US National Security Council spokesperson made it unequivocally clear: Hamas could have extended the ceasefire by agreeing to release hostages but instead chose war.

In recent weeks, Israel engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to secure the freedom of those still held captive in Gaza, with negotiations involving high-level US representatives and regional mediators. However, Hamas refused to engage in good faith, repeatedly rejecting terms that could have prolonged the pause in hostilities. In parallel, intelligence assessments indicated that Hamas was using the ceasefire to regroup and rearm – a long-standing tactic the group has employed in past conflicts.

According to Israeli officials, Hamas not only declined all hostage release proposals but also issued new threats against IDF forces and Israeli communities near the Gaza border. In response, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, convened urgent security discussions late on Monday night, ultimately authorising a return to military action.

By 2 a.m. local time, reports emerged from Gaza of Israeli airstrikes “all across the Gaza Strip.” The IDF later confirmed that the attacks targeted mid-level Hamas military commanders, leadership figures and terrorist infrastructure. The strikes were designed to preemptively disrupt Hamas’s ability to execute attacks, build up force and replenish its weapons stockpiles. There has never been any doubt: Hamas has always been crystal clear about its intention to repeat as large-scale attacks as possible on Israel. 

Israeli officials made it clear that the strikes were only the beginning. A senior official stated that this preemptive offensive would “continue as long as necessary” and would expand beyond airstrikes. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning following the renewed hostilities, stating that Hamas’ refusal to release the hostages would have dire consequences. “If Hamas does not release all the kidnapped, the gates of hell will open in Gaza,” he declared, vowing that Hamas militants would encounter “forces they have never known before.”

Finance Minister and Security Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich echoed this sentiment, stating that the IDF’s renewed offensive had been meticulously planned over recent weeks. “For this moment, we have remained in the government despite our opposition to the [hostage] deal,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to seeing Hamas “destroyed.” His party remained in Netanyahu’s coalition just for this. 

Although the fighting is now centered on Gaza, the broader Middle East remains volatile. Over the weekend, the US launched a massive wave of air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, killing dozens of operatives involved in attacks on international shipping. Overnight, reports indicated that US forces intensified strikes on Sana’a, with images from Houthi-run media showing the aftermath of American bombardments on key government and military sites.

The economic impact of the regional instability is also mounting. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi acknowledged that disruptions in the Suez Canal – largely due to Houthi activity – were costing Egypt an estimated $800 million per month in lost revenue. Meanwhile, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein revealed that Baghdad had received intelligence indicating that Israel was considering military operations against Iranian-linked targets in Iraq – a move that was reportedly avoided after discussions with Washington.

The intensity of Israel’s overnight strikes, combined with official statements from senior Israeli leaders, suggests that this may be the beginning of a broader and more sustained military operation. The IDF Home Front Command has already altered its security guidelines, restricting activity in communities near the Gaza border just as some were starting to attempt a return to normalcy, and canceling all educational activity in the area – a sign that Israeli officials anticipate an extended conflict.

From Israel’s perspective, Hamas’s actions left no choice but to resume hostilities. The group’s refusal to release hostages, its continued military preparations, and its rejection of ceasefire extensions have forced Israel to act. Now, as military operations intensify, Gaza may be on the precipice of a phase of war more severe than anything seen so far.