Israel hit Gaza with a series of “extensive strikes” on Tuesday overnight, vowing to open the “gate of hell” because Hamas had not released the rest of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Israel’s defense forces targeted Hamas terrorists in all regions and would act with “increased military force” against Hamas from now on.
Hospital sources in Gaza told ABC News at least 34 people had been killed in a widespread attack.
“Tonight we returned to fight in Gaza because of Hamas’s rejection to release hostages and threats to endanger the IDF army and the Israeli community,” Katz said in a statement.
“If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gate of hell will open in Gaza,” he added.
The fire burned in damaged houses, amid the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, as seen from the Israeli border side, February 24, 2025.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
The strike targets areas in Gaza including Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir Al-Balah, Nuseirat, Al-Bureij, Al-Zaytoun, Al-Karama and Beit Hanoun.
An Israeli official told ABC News that offensive preemptive would continue “as long as needed,” and will “develop beyond air strikes.”
The strike targets the Hamas medium military commander, leadership and infrastructure official, the official said.
“IDF is prepared and spread in all arena, both personnel to manage the border and air defense arrays,” the official added.
Netanyahu and Katz said the changes to the defensive guidelines for IDF came after Hamas “rejected all offers” in the conclusive hostage agreement with Steve Witkoff, a special US delegation to the Middle East.
Hamas said in a Tuesday statement that canceling a ceasefire agreement and a series of strikes placed “prisoners in Gaza on an unknown fate.”
Press Secretary of the White House Karoline Leavitt said in an appearance at Fox News that Trump’s government was consulted by Israeli officials about their decision to attack Gaza.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump went down to his social media to threaten Hamas with a “last warning” about the rest of the hostages.
Trump wrote about social truth on March 7 that “it will end” for Hamas if it does not comply.
“I send Israel all that is needed to complete the work, there is not a single Hamas member who is safe if you don’t do what I say,” he added.
Witkoff repeated the President’s threat at the time, saying, “I will not test President Trump.”
Fifty-nine hostages are believed to remain in Gaza-24 of them are considered alive. Edan Alexander is the last American-Israel Hostage who remains alive in captivity.
ABC News’ Savir Dana contributes to this report.