More Than 400 Dead in Gaza as Israel Breaks Ceasefire and Strikes Enclave

TaiwanPlus News

The Gaza ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has collapsed with the IDF launching "extensive" airstrikes on the enclave. Israel has blamed Hamas for refusing to release all hostages and says they plan to push forward with intense military action.

Transcript

00:00This is the aftermath of Israeli bombings in Gaza, the country unleashing a wave of

00:07airstrikes on the enclave, shattering a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

00:14The assault hit densely populated areas, including Khan Younis and Rafah, regions many Palestinians

00:21had recently returned to during the pause in fighting that came into effect in January.

00:25The Gaza Ministry of Health says more than 400 people are dead, including the highest-ranking

00:43Hamas official, Mahmoud Abou Watfa, and hundreds more injured.

00:49Israel blamed Hamas for the resumption of fighting, claiming the group repeatedly refused

00:53proposals to extend the ceasefire and release all Israeli hostages after the first phase

00:58of the truce ended two weeks ago.

01:00Together with the Defense Minister, I received the recommendation of the IDF and the security

01:07forces to resume a massive fight against Hamas.

01:10From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing force.

01:15And from now on, the negotiations will be conducted only under fire.

01:22A decision Hamas says was unprovoked and will put the lives of Israeli hostages in jeopardy.

01:2759 of the 251 people taken to Gaza from Israel over a year ago remain in the enclave, although

01:34around half of them are believed to be dead.

01:37The resumption in fighting is also raising concerns at the United Nations and the World

01:40Health Organization, who say access to medical treatment in Gaza is dwindling.

01:46Israel blocked the flow of all aid to the enclave two weeks ago, as talks for a permanent

01:51ceasefire stalled.

01:53But at the UN Security Council, the U.S. stood by their ally, placing the blame on Hamas

01:58and pledging their support for Israel's military action.

02:01President Trump has made clear that Hamas must release the hostages immediately or pay

02:06a high price.

02:08And we support Israel in its next steps.

02:11This has prompted protests in the U.S. and across the globe, including within Israel,

02:21condemning the return to fighting, while the families of Israeli hostages are pleading

02:25with their government to halt fighting.

02:27We must do everything in our power to bring them back.

02:31We must return to the ceasefire negotiations and secure the release.

02:37A deal is the only way to bring them all back.

02:41Please do not let other families suffer the same fate as mine.

02:48There is still time and there are still lives to save.

02:53And for those on the ground in Gaza, the clock is ticking as Israel vows to push forward

02:57with military force.

02:59James Lynn and Rosie Greninger for Taiwan Plus.

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