Palestine Conflict Escalates as Israel Ends Ceasefire
The Israeli military's invasion of Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with nearly 600 Palestinians killed in a series of attacks since Tuesday. The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the situation remains volatile, with no clear end in sight to the violence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ended the Gaza ceasefire, citing Hamas' refusal to release more hostages before negotiations on ending the war proceed, despite international pressure to free hostages and end the conflict. The decision has led to a significant escalation in violence, with Israeli troops invading southern and northern Gaza and killing nearly 600 Palestinians in a series of attacks since Tuesday.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration, aimed to free all hostages abducted in Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack and end the war. However, Netanyahu had repeatedly cast doubt on the second phase of the agreement, insisting that Israel was committed to returning all hostages and destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities. The Israeli leader's decision to end the ceasefire was motivated by political considerations, as agreeing to a permanent ceasefire would have plunged him into a political crisis.
Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, had threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu progressed to Phase 2 of the ceasefire agreement instead of restarting the offensive. The Israeli leader's decision to resume fighting has ensured Smotrich's continued support and regained another far-right partner, Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose party had bolted in January over the ceasefire but returned to the coalition on Tuesday.
The Trump administration, which took credit for brokering the ceasefire, has appeared to sour on it and warned that if Hamas does not immediately release the hostages, while saying that's a decision for Israel to make. The White House said it was consulted ahead of Tuesday's strikes and supported Israel's decision, as the conflict in Palestine continues to escalate.