Israel’s military launched a large-scale bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, breaking the fragile ceasefire with Hamas that has been in place since late January. At least 404 people have been killed, with 562 injured, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. An Israeli official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, said the “series of preemptive strikes” targeted Hamas leadership and infrastructure, following weeks of stagnant negotiations. Gazans described their fear and shock as the fighting resumed, with one telling The Washington Post: “I cannot believe that the war is back again.”
Israeli attacks largely a negotiation tactic amid stalled ceasefire talks, officials say
JERUSALEM — Tuesday’s strike was largely a negotiation tactic to force Hamas to soften its demands after weeks of stalled talks, two Israeli officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told The Washington Post.
Since the ceasefire expired in early March, Israeli leaders have weighed various possibilities for renewing fighting and applying military pressure on Hamas. Negotiations between the two sides have stalled: Hamas is calling for negotiations with Israel over the second phase of the deal, which would include provisions for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and an end to the war in exchange for the release of remaining hostages; while Israel wants an extension to the first phase of the ceasefire and the release of more hostages.
After Hamas made its demands, Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials gathered in recent days and chose one of the options presented by the IDF that entailed heavy airstrikes on dozens of targets in Gaza, including mid- to high-level Hamas leaders who were regrouping forces — but not the organization’s most senior figures, an Israeli official said.
Israel has prepared other options including a renewed ground assault, depending on the progress in the negotiations and the threat posed by Hamas on the ground, the official said.
The other Israeli official described the military plans as “phased” and said the government was waiting to see if the air campaign influences the negotiations before advancing to heavier attacks. “If the other side [Hamas] decides to go back to the table for genuine talks, then the IDF would stop,” the official said. “But at the moment, because all else failed, this is the opportunity.”
