Israel has resumed intense military operations in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday night, declaring that "negotiations will continue only under fire" and that "this is just the beginning."

The renewed hostilities follow a series of massive airstrikes targeting Hamas positions, according to the Israeli military. Gaza’s health ministry, which is run by Hamas, reported that more than 400 people were killed and hundreds injured in the attacks, marking the heaviest wave of strikes since the ceasefire began on January 19.

The latest escalation threatens to derail efforts to reach a permanent end to the conflict. Airstrikes hit Beit Lahia, Rafah, Nuseirat, and Al-Mawasi, shattering the relative calm Gazans had experienced in recent weeks. Hospitals are now struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, with medical staff overwhelmed.

Egypt, which has been mediating talks, strongly condemned the strikes. Tamim Khallaf, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the attacks as a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement and a "dangerous escalation."

In his address, Netanyahu claimed that Israel had made multiple attempts to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas but said the group rejected all proposals. Disagreements over the ceasefire deal, which initially facilitated exchanges of hostages and prisoners, have further complicated negotiations.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, outlined a three-phase plan, with the second phase aiming to establish a permanent truce and withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza. However, Israel and the US sought to amend the deal to prolong the first phase, prioritizing further hostage releases—an adjustment Hamas rejected as "unacceptable."

Amid the renewed conflict, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s war objectives: "to return the hostages, eliminate Hamas, and ensure it no longer poses a threat." The Israeli strikes reportedly followed consultations with the US administration. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated that "Hamas could have extended the ceasefire by releasing hostages, but instead chose refusal and war."

Hamas, in response, warned that Israel’s actions would "impose a death sentence" on the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, protests erupted outside Israel’s parliament as families of hostages accused the government of prioritizing military action over securing the return of their loved ones.

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, has resulted in significant loss of life. Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in the initial assault. Israel’s military response has since led to more than 48,500 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and caused widespread destruction.

As fighting intensifies, hopes for a negotiated resolution appear increasingly uncertain.