Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Israel said it is carrying out “extensive strikes” in the Gaza Strip.The ContextThe strikes mark the most significant escalation in Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip since Israel and the militant group Hamas reached a tenuous ceasefire agreement nearly two months ago.Hamas has accused Israel of violating the fragile truce hundreds of times since it went into effect in January.What To KnowThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Security Agency (ISA) announced the latest wave of strikes early Tuesday local time.Israel is “currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip,” they said.
Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen during the night of March 10 in the Gaza Strip from southern Israel.
Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen during the night of March 10 in the Gaza Strip from southern Israel.
Leo Correa/AP
The strikes come as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled in recent days. In the first phase of the truce, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for about three dozen hostages who were held in Gaza.But Israel and Hamas have not been able to reach a final agreement on releasing the nearly 60 remaining hostages since the first phase of the ceasefire ended.Israel seeks to extend the first, limited phase of the deal, while Hamas has called for talks toward advancing to the second phase, which would pave the way for a long-term cessation of hostilities.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when announcing the strikes, cited Hamas’ refusal to release the remaining hostages and its rejection of proposals it got from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East.Netanyahu instructed Israeli forces to carry out their strikes across Gaza.What People Are SayingThe IDF and ISA said in their full joint statement: “In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. Details to follow.”Netanyahu said in his statement: The IDF and ISA are conducting the strikes “with the aim of achieving the war goals as determined by the political echelon, including the release of all our hostages — living and dead.”Taher Nunu, a Hamas official, said in a statement to the Associated Press (AP): “The international community faces a moral test: either it allows the return of the crimes committed by the occupation army or it enforces a commitment to ending the aggression and war against innocent people in Gaza.”An Israeli official told Newsweek: “This preemptive offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond airstrikes. The IDF is prepared and spread out in all arenas, both in personnel manning the borders and the Aerial Defence Array.”What Happens NextThe AP reported that it’s unclear whether this latest wave of strikes is part of a one-time pressure tactic designed to force Hamas to the negotiating table, or if Israel plans on scrapping the ceasefire talks and resuming the war altogether.The Israeli official told Newsweek that in the meantime, “a decision has been made not to open up schools and educational activity in the Gaza Envelope. The IDF is in constant communication with the communities.”They added that Israel has also decided “to halt the activity of the Sderot train route” in the south of Israel. The route was closed after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel and was reopened in early February for the first time since Sderot was rocked by Hamas’ attacks.The Associated Press contributed reporting to this article.
