IDF strikes kill at least 235 people, says Gaza’s health ministry

Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip resulted in at least 235 fatalities, including women and children, Gaza's health ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran said.

According to media reports, over 150 people were injured in multiple strikes across northern Gaza, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Gaza City. The escalation follows a period of relative calm since a ceasefire was established in January.

The renewed offensive follows the collapse of truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attacks, stating that they were carried out in coordination with the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).

"In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military announced on X.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later justified the military action, attributing it to "Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators."

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says, “Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight.”

“As President Donald Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran — all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America — will see a price to pay: All hell will break lose,” Leavitt continued, speaking to Fox News on Monday evening.

The surprise attack shattered a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan and raised the prospect of a full return to fighting in a 17-month war that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised questions about the fate of the roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive.

In a statement, Hamas condemned what it called Israel's “unprovoked escalation” and said it had put the fate of the hostages in jeopardy.

There was no immediate US reaction. But over the weekend, US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading mediation efforts along with Egypt and Qatar, warned that Hamas must release living hostages immediately “or pay a severe price."

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unfolding operation, said Israel was striking Hamas' military, leaders and infrastructure and planned to expand the operation beyond air attacks. The official accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild and plan new attacks. Hamas militants and security forces quickly returned to the streets in recent weeks after the ceasefire went into effect.

Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, said the “gates of hell will open in Gaza” if the 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.

With agency inputs