The office of Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a letter that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began striking Hamas terrorist targets across Gaza "in order to achieve the war objectives set by the political leadership, including the release of all our hostages—both the living and the fallen."
Katz continued, "This decision comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all proposals presented by US President’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as the mediators," with officials adding that Israel will increase its military actions against Hamas going forward.
He said, "Tonight, we returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas' refusal to release the hostages and threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities. If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and Hamas' murderers and rapists will meet the IDF with forces they have never known before,” adding that Israel "will not stop fighting until all the hostages return home and all the war's goals are achieved."
The IDF launched strikes targeting military commanders, leadership officials and terrorist infrastructure. An Israeli official told Fox News that the offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond air strikes.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes came after Hamas "rejected all offers it received" from Witkoff and the other mediators.
The ceasefire lasted almost two months during the 17-month-long war, which saw dozens of Israeli hostages released for nearly 2,000 Palestinian terrorists.
