Gaza’s fragile ceasefire was shattered early Tuesday as Israel carried out what it described as “extensive strikes” on Hamas targets in the enclave.
That day was Gaza’s deadliest in more than 15 months, according to a CNN count, with Israel’s overnight bombardments striking multiple locations across the territory. More than 400 people were killed, according to Palestinian authorities.
The next day, the Israeli military launched a ground offensive. It said it had retaken the Netzarim Corridor, a strip of land that splits Gaza in half, dividing Gaza City and northern areas from the southern parts of the Strip that border Egypt.
Israel and Hamas began a ceasefire on January 19, with the first phase lasting 42 days. The two sides were meant to discuss a second phase starting February 3, but the Israeli government ignored that deadline and it has been clear that the two sides are oceans apart in negotiations.
Israel blames the new fighting on Hamas for refusing to accept revised ceasefire terms. Hamas, in turn, has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of unilaterally upending the truce and putting hostages “at risk of an unknown fate.”
Here are some of the stories that made headlines over the past week, as well as some photos that caught our eye.
