Is the Israel-Hamas ceasefire over?

Israel has launched its largest attacks in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took hold in January.

On Monday (local time) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the army “to take strong action” following “Hamas’ repeated refusal to release [the] hostages”.

It comes as negotiations on the next phase of the ceasefire remain stalled.
Hamas said Israel has “decided to overturn the ceasefire agreement”.

Early reports indicate at least 100 people have been killed in the airstrikes so far.

Background

Following 15 months of war, a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel came into effect on 19 January.

The U.S-led agreement was intended to have three phases.

The first phase required Hamas to release 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults, and the bodies of hostages who were killed in captivity.

In exchange, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Phase one concluded on 1 March.

The U.S. proposed extending this phase, which would have seen all remaining hostages released by mid-April. Approximately 59 hostages are estimated to still be held in Gaza, many of whom are presumed dead.

Hamas rejected the terms of the agreement.

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Israel retaliated by cutting off aid deliveries and its electricity supply to the Gaza Strip.

Negotiators have been attempting to find a path forward over the past few weeks.

Latest

On Monday, Netanyahu announced Israel was taking “strong action” by conducting extensive airstrikes in Gaza. The Prime Minister said this was in response to Hamas not agreeing to release the remaining Israeli hostages.

He said the army was attacking “targets of Hamas” and that it was going to act with “increased military strength”.

Hamas responded by saying Israel has “resumed their aggression”. The group said the attacks meant Israel had “decided to overturn the ceasefire deal”.

U.S.

The U.S. led the ceasefire negotiations in January.

According to U.S. new outlet Axios, the Israeli Government informed the White House of the impending strikes.

At the time of publication, the Trump administration has not issued a statement on the latest developments.

In a social media post earlier this month, Trump said: “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.”