The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has shattered as Israel initiated a series of airstrikes on Gaza following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive for “immediate, powerful” military action. Both sides have accused each other of breaching the US-mediated truce, escalating tensions in the region. Netanyahu’s office asserted that Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement by returning remains that did not belong to any of the 13 hostages held in Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that Hamas would face a “heavy price” and emphasized that Israel would retaliate “with great force.” The sound of fighter jets over Jerusalem and renewed strikes near Gaza City have plunged residents into fear and uncertainty. Hamas-run civil defence officials reported at least two fatalities and four injuries in the latest attack. Hamas condemned Israel’s escalation, claiming it would obstruct ongoing efforts to retrieve bodies and postponed the handover of another deceased hostage. The conflict traces back to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the abduction of 251 people and the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has reportedly claimed over 68,500 Palestinian lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.