Israel hit Gaza with a series of “extensive strikes” during the night, promising to open the “doors of hell” because Hamas has not launched the remaining hostages.
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, said that Israel’s defense forces are attacking Hamas’ terrorists throughout the region and will perform with a “growing military force” against Hamas from now on.
“Israel will perform, from now on, against Hamas with a growing military force,” said Netyahu’s office in a statement on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Health, which is led by Hamas, said in a statement early that at least 254 people were killed, along with more than 440 other wounds. Ministry officials had previously told ABC News that at least 131 people died in generalized attacks, with more than 300 more injured.
“Tonight we fought again in Gaza due to Hamas’ negative to free the hostages and threats to damage the SDI soldiers and Israeli communities,” Katz said in a statement.
“If Hamas does not launch all hostages, the doors of hell will open in Gaza,” he added.
Burns of fire in damaged houses, in the middle of a high fire between Hamas and Israel, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, on February 24, 2025.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
The strikes are attacking areas in Gaza, including Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir Al-Balah, Nuseirat, Al-Bureij, Al-Zaytoun, Al-Karama and Beit Hanoun. The FDI Arab spokesman issued a wide evacuation order that covers the entire perimeter of Gaza. Residents were warned to “immediately evacuate the shelters known in the city of Gaza and those of Khan Younis.”
An Israeli official told ABC News that the preventive offensive will continue “whenever necessary”, and “will expand beyond air attacks.”
The attacks attacked the military commanders of Hamas Range, leadership and infrastructure officials, said the official.
“ The IDF are prepared and extended in all sands, both in the personnel who handle the borders and in the air defense matrix,” added the official.
Netanyahu and Katz said that changes in the defensive guidelines of the FDIs occur after Hamas “rejected all the offers” in a conclusive hostage agreement with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of the United States to the Middle East.
Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday that revoking the agreement of Alto El Fuego and the series of strikes put “the prisoners in Gaza in an unknown destination.”
The White House Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said in an appearance in Fox News that the Trump administration was consulted by Israeli officials about her decision to attack Gaza.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump went to his social networks to threaten Hamas with a “last warning” about the remaining hostages.
Trump wrote in Truth Social on March 7 that “will be finished” for Hamas if he does not comply.
“I am sending Israel everything you need to finish the job, or a single Hamas member will be safe if you do not do what I say,” he added.
Witkoff reiterated the president’s threat at that time, saying: “He would not try President Trump.”
It is believed that fifty -nine hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of which it is presumed to be alive. Edan Alexander is the last American-Israeli hostage to remain alive in captivity.
Dana Savir and Guy Davies of ABC News contributed to this report.
