Posted on 03/17/2025 6:35:19 PM PDT by marcusmaximus
The Israeli military says it is carrying out "extensive strikes" in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting what it called "terror targets" belonging to Hamas.
Three houses were hit in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, a building in Gaza City, and targets in Khan You is and Rafah, Reuters reported, citing medics and witnesses.
This is the largest wave of airstrikes in Gaza since the ceasefire began on 19 January. Talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed to reach an agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the strikes on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the PM's office.
"This follows Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators," it said.
"Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," it added.
The plan for the strikes "was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership", it said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
FA, meet FO.
>>Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the resumption of fighting in Gaza and said, “Tonight, we resumed fighting in Gaza due to Hamas’s refusal to release the hostages and its threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities.”
Katz added, “If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and the murderers and rapists of Hamas will face the IDF with intensities they have never known before. We will not stop fighting until all the hostages return home and all the war objectives are achieved.”<<
“Hamas-Affiliated Telegram Channel Exhorts Palestinians To Wage Armed Jihad During Ramadan
Following a shooting near the Israeli settlement of Ariel and the Palestinian town on Salfit on March 12, 2025, the Al-Mutarad Telegram channel called on Palestinians in the West Bank to carry out more attacks of this sort: “This is a special call to every free and revolutionary [Palestinian] and everyone who possesses a weapon: Do not let another day go by without carrying out a blessed jihad operation to avenge the blood spilled in Gaza and in response to the occupation’s crimes in the West Bank. May you let Allah see your good deeds during this noble month”
https://www.memri.org/reports/hamas-calls-increase-terror-attacks-israelis-during-ramadan-month-jihad-and-victories
I think Hamas ended their ceasefire agreement. They never intended to return anymore hostages.
Israel also doing targeted strikes in Syria and Lebanon.
Hamas is learning the art of FAFO
President Trump sent Israel the MK-84 bunker busters just in time.
Line an aircraft carrier next to Rafah, and load thousands of Gazans at a time and dump them off in Yemen.
Anyone who does not 'approve' should be transferred to a tent in Gaza.
And in a bad way.
Pronto.
Better to send in the B-52s to do some massive urban renewal
Time to re-start Operation Whack-a-Mole!
Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman: “Clock has struck midnight on Gaza and Hamas is about to be sent to hell.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.
The Israeli military ordered people to evacuate eastern Gaza, including much of the northern town of Beit Hanoun and other communities further south, and head toward the center of the territory, indicating that Israel could soon launch renewed ground operations.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu’s office said.
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