More than 300 people, including Hamas leader, killed in Israeli attack on Gaza

The death toll in Israel's most powerful attack since the ceasefire came into effect has reportedly exceeded 300. The Israeli army launched a powerful attack targeting Hamas centers after talks on the release of hostages broke down. The head of the Hamas government in Gaza, Essam al-Dalis, was killed in the attack, Hamas news agency reported, citing sources.

Hamas said Interior Ministry Chief Mahmoud Abu Watfa and Director General of the Internal Security Service, Bahjat Abu Sultan, were also killed in the attack. International media reported that explosions were heard in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah and various parts of the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attack targeted Hamas centers in the Gaza Strip. Israel has ordered the closure of all schools near Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the attack was carried out in the context of Hamas's refusal to release the hostages and the rejection of demands made by the US president's envoy and mediators. The IDF also stated that the attack was carried out as part of a firm goal of freeing all hostages, both living and dead.

Before the recent attacks, Israel had been withholding food, medicine, fuel and other supplies for the past two weeks. Meanwhile, Hamas accused Netanyahu of trying to sacrifice the hostages by resuming the war. "Netanyahu is fully responsible for the ceasefire violation. This has left no one knowing what the fate of the prisoners in Gaza will be," Hamas said in a statement.

The Israeli-Hamas peace talks failed for multiple reasons. The first reason was Hamas's refusal to release more hostages. This led to the collapse of the ceasefire agreement and the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023. Hamas launched thousands of rockets at Israel and infiltrated Israeli territory. Hamas terrorists attacked Israeli towns near Gaza, killing approximately 1,200 people, including civilians, and taking 240 hostages.

Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas and launched massive airstrikes. It also launched a ground offensive in Gaza with the aim of destroying Hamas' military infrastructure.