Hamas will be ‘hammered’ until hostages are released — Israeli official

Israel has renewed its military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with an official stating that the group “got hammered last night and they’re going to continue to be hammered until we get the hostages out.” This statement comes as Israeli forces intensify airstrikes following the collapse of a ceasefire that had been in place since January.

The offensive, which began overnight on Tuesday, has resulted in at least 420 deaths, including more than 130 children, according to Palestinian health officials and UNICEF. 

Despite the escalation, the Israeli official emphasized that Israel has “not closed the door” to mediated negotiations if Hamas agrees to additional hostage-prisoner exchanges. However, Israel intends to continue the attacks “as long as necessary” and will “expand beyond air strikes.”

On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched further strikes, targeting what it described as “a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to fire projectiles at Israeli territory.” 

ALSO READ US: Wildfire outbreak likely as mighty, multi-threat storm tracks

The Israeli navy also struck “several vessels in the coastal area of the Gaza Strip,” which the IDF claimed were designated for use by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that an Israeli strike killed a foreign staff member working for the United Nations and injured five others. The wounded were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. However, the IDF denied responsibility, stating, “Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir el Balah.”

This escalation follows a period of relative calm after intense fighting began in October 2023. The previous ceasefire saw 33 Israeli hostages freed in exchange for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Currently, 59 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, with 24 presumed to be alive, including Edan Alexander, the last known American-Israeli hostage.

The renewed strikes have resulted in the deaths of several Hamas officials, including Deputy Minister of the Interior Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Abu Tuffah and Deputy Minister of Justice Omar al-Hatta.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled an uncompromising approach, stating, “From now on, negotiations will only take place under fire.” He added, “Hamas has already felt the presence of our force in the last 24 hours and I want to assure you: 

This is just the beginning.” Netanyahu also emphasized that military action and hostage recovery efforts are interconnected, saying, “The military strike on Hamas and the release of our hostages are not contradictory goals—they are goals that are intertwined.”

The offensive has sparked protests within Israel, particularly from the families of hostages still held in Gaza. In a statement on Tuesday, the Hostage Families’ Forum expressed their frustration, stating, “The greatest fear of the families, the kidnapped and the citizens of Israel has come true. The Israeli government has chosen to give up on the kidnapped.”

(ABC News)

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE