Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza as ceasefire talks stall

Israeli forces on Tuesday targeted cities across the region after leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization refused to release the remaining hostages it captured in 2023, according to the prime minister’s office. In a statement, Benjamin Netanyahu promised to attack Hamas with increasing force. Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people died in the attacks. Leaders of the terrorist group said Israel had breached a two-month ceasefire. Israeli forces said they targeted Hamas leaders and infrastructure, but a United Nations agency official on the ground said that civilians, including children, were also killed in the bombardment.

Where do peace talks stand? Israel and Hamas in January agreed to a three-phase ceasefire deal that included an agreement for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Two weeks ago, the ceasefire finished the first of the planned phases. Since then, the sides failed to come to terms to continue the de-escalation.

The second phase of the initial plan called for a pause in military operations, an expansion of aid deliveries into Gaza, and for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza. Recent attempts to extend the deal have stalled as White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Hamas made unacceptable demands about releasing some remaining hostages. 

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties about whether the First Amendment can protect a Palestinian with permanent residency in the United States from deportation.