Israel’s defense minister says Israel has “resumed fighting” in Gaza and is vowing to press ahead until all remaining hostages are released.
In a brief statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz said “the gates of hell will open in Gaza” if hostages aren’t released.
“We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,” he said.
Gaza’s ministry of health said at least 44 people were killed in the new wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday. Israel said it was striking Hamas targets in its heaviest assault in the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the ceasefire. It was not immediately clear if the operation was a one-time pressure tactic or if the 17-month-old war was being resumed altogether.