Netanyahu Orders ‘Immediate and Powerful’ Attacks on Gaza, Over 100 Killed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military to “immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” his office said in a statement, signaling the Gaza ceasefire deal is about to collapse.
Israel is claiming that its forces in Rafah came under attack by Hamas fighters, and Palestinians on the ground reported hearing gunfire and strikes in the south, but Hamas has said that it had “no relation to the shooting incident in Rafah and reaffirms its commitment to the cease-fire agreement.”
Israel currently controls about 58% of Gaza’s territory, and Netanyahu has reportedly decided to take over more territory.
After Netanyahu’s announcement, a series of airstrikes were reported in Gaza City and Khan Younis. According to Al Jazeera, witnesses said a “massive” strike hit near the Al-Shifa Hospital. At least 100 people have been killed, and pictures and videos show that at least 46 children are among the dead and wounded.
