'Hamas responsible...': Israeli PM Netanyahu after fresh attacks on Gaza
What's the story
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly blamed Hamas for the recent violence and defended Israel's military response in Gaza.
"Hamas is responsible for this war," he said in a public address. "It invaded our towns, murdered our people, raped our women, and kidnapped our loved ones. Hamas refused offer after offer to release our hostages."
This comes as Israel launched massive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
Justification
Netanyahu's defense of military operations
In his speech, Netanyahu defended Israel's military action in Gaza, saying the country had held off from going to war for two weeks, in the hope that Hamas would change its attitude.
But after it rejected a proposal by US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, he was left with no choice but to order a renewed offensive.
He stressed Israel doesn't target Palestinian civilians, but "Hamas terrorists," and asked Palestinian civilians to move to safer areas.
Impact
Casualties and targets of the recent strikes
Recent Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed 404 Palestinians and wounded over 560. The Gaza Health Ministry said many of the dead were women and children.
Hamas claims the strikes have killed at least six senior officials, including key security chiefs and the head of its civilian government.
However, Israel insists its targets were military and political leaders behind attacks against its citizens.
Future operations
Netanyahu warns of ongoing military action
Netanyahu has described the latest airstrikes as "only the beginning" and vowed to go on till all of Israel's war goals are achieved.
He cautioned future ceasefire talks would be "under fire," implying continuation of military action.
The Israeli military has asked residents of eastern Gaza to move toward the center, indicating a near-ground operation.
This comes as humanitarian organizations decry the worsening crisis due to dwindling supplies after Israel's two-week blockade on deliveries.
Conflict history
Timeline of the ongoing conflict
The current war has killed more than 48,500 Palestinians, according to local health officials, since it started on October 7, 2023.
The conflict began when Hamas-led militants invaded southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 251 hostages.
Despite temporary ceasefires during the conflict, fighting has caused mass destruction in Gaza and displaced about 90% of its population.