IDF & Shin Bet Launch New Wave of Strikes Against Hamas Targets in Gaza as Ceasefire Ends

IDF & Shin Bet Launch New Wave of Strikes Against Hamas Targets in Gaza as Ceasefire Ends

By: Fern Sidman

In a significant escalation of military operations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) launched a broad offensive early Tuesday morning, targeting a wide array of Hamas terrorist infrastructure across the Gaza Strip. As reported by Israel National News, the renewed strikes come amid growing frustration over Hamas’ continued refusal to release Israeli hostages and its rejection of multiple diplomatic proposals mediated by the United States and international partners.

In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that the extensive assault was carried out “in accordance with the political echelon,” with dozens of targets struck simultaneously across the coastal enclave. Sources within Gaza reported numerous fatalities and injuries as a result of the Israeli bombardment, which is believed to have hit critical command centers, weapons caches, and other strategic sites tied to the Hamas terrorist organization.

According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, the operation was greenlit following direct orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The Prime Minister’s Office issued a stern statement outlining the rationale behind the renewed campaign: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to take strong action against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.”

The statement further emphasized that Hamas’ consistent refusal to release Israeli hostages, and its outright rejection of all diplomatic overtures—particularly those put forth by U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators—necessitated a sharp escalation in military pressure.

“The IDF is, at this time, attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip in order to achieve the objectives of the war as they have been determined by the political echelon including the release of all of our hostages, the living and the deceased,” the statement read.

The political leadership also vowed that Israel would now act “with increasing military strength” against Hamas. The operational plan had been presented by the IDF over the weekend and was fully endorsed by the country’s highest decision-making bodies, according to Israel National News.

In parallel with the renewed fighting, the IDF’s Home Front Command has issued updated defense directives to residents in southern Israel. As per the information contained in the Israel National News  starting at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, communities near the Gaza Strip transitioned from “Full Activity” to “Limited Activity” status — meaning educational institutions in these areas have been ordered closed. However, regions in the Western Negev and Western Lachish remain under “Full Activity” guidelines for the time being.

The military escalation follows a series of failed diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Just two days before the airstrikes resumed, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a high-level security and negotiation briefing focused on the hostage situation. According to Israel National News, the meeting included senior ministers, defense officials, and members of Israel’s negotiating team.

The team had been preparing for a potential breakthrough based on the latest mediation proposals — most notably those facilitated by U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff. INN reported that these efforts had aimed to secure the immediate release of 11 living hostages and approximately half of the deceased hostages still in Gaza. However, Hamas’ intransigence thwarted any hope of progress.

Witkoff, speaking candidly on Friday, accused Hamas of making “unrealistic” demands behind closed doors while publicly posturing as flexible. “Hamas is making a very poor gamble by believing that time is on its side. That is not the case. Hamas is well aware of the deadline and must understand that we will respond accordingly if it passes,” he warned in remarks reported by Israel National News.

Under Witkoff’s most recent proposal, a 50-day ceasefire extension was to be paired with the release of convicted terrorists from Israeli prisons in exchange for the safe return of hostages. The information in the report at Israel National News indicated that this humanitarian window would have allowed for expanded aid deliveries and resumed dialogue on a second-stage agreement — one that, controversially, could have involved a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Hamas reportedly rebuffed the terms, insisting on conditions that Israeli officials considered entirely unacceptable without a permanent ceasefire — a demand that undercut the entire framework of negotiations.

With talks stalled and Hamas showing no signs of compromise, Israel’s leadership appears to have recalibrated its strategic approach. As Israel National News reported, the latest strikes signal a renewed effort to break the deadlock militarily, rather than through diplomacy. The stated goal remains unchanged: the dismantling of Hamas’ terror infrastructure and the safe recovery of all Israeli hostages — both living and deceased.

This phase of the war, according to Israeli officials, is likely to see intensifying operations designed to cripple Hamas’ ability to maneuver, command, and replenish its resources. While the long-term political implications remain unclear, what is evident is that Israel has shifted gears — from negotiation to confrontation — in what may become one of the most decisive phases of the conflict to date