At least 404 Palestinians have been killed and 562 wounded as Israel launched an extensive military assault on Gaza, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

The airstrikes, which struck locations across Gaza—including Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, Gaza City in the north, and central areas like Deir el-Balah—caused widespread devastation. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that many of the casualties were children.

The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed, “404 martyrs and 562 injuries have arrived at hospitals in the Gaza Strip so far,” adding that more victims remain trapped beneath rubble.
Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, condemned the offensive as a unilateral breach of the ceasefire, which had been in place since January 19.

“Netanyahu and his extremist government have chosen to dismantle the ceasefire, putting prisoners in Gaza at risk,” Hamas stated, calling on Arab and Islamic nations, as well as supporters worldwide, to mobilize in protest.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also blamed Israel for “deliberately undermining” ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military action, saying it was a necessary response to Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli hostages or extend the truce.

“From this point forward, Israel will escalate its military operations against Hamas,” Netanyahu’s office declared.

The Israeli military confirmed via Telegram that it was carrying out “large-scale strikes on Hamas terror targets.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Israel had consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump before launching the attacks.