BIG BREAKING: Hamas Confirms Death of Gaza Government Head in Israeli Strike

Gaza: Hamas on Tuesday confirmed that the head of its government was killed in the Israeli strike in Gaza earlier today. 

According to Palestinian health authorities, 326 people have died as Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza, breaking a two-month ceasefire with Hamas, as Israel pledged to use force to free its remaining hostages in the region.

Hours after the airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he had directed the military to take "strong action" against Hamas in Gaza, in retaliation for the group's refusal to release hostages and its rejection of ceasefire proposals.

‘Death Sentence’ For Hostages

A senior Hamas official called Netanyahu's decision to resume fighting a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages. Izzat al-Risheq accused Netanyahu of launching the strikes to protect his far-right coalition and urged mediators to disclose who was responsible for breaking the truce.

Israel's office said that the country will now take increasingly strong military action against Hamas.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement made in January, leaving the fate of 59 hostages still held in Gaza uncertain.

Also Read: Israel Carries Out 'Extensive Strikes' in Gaza Killing Over 300

Strikes were reported across multiple locations in Gaza, with officials from the Hamas-run health ministry stating that many of the casualties were children.

The strikes came as Prime Minister Netanyahu faced increasing domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to dismiss the head of Israel's internal security agency. His latest testimony in a long-running corruption trial was also canceled following the strikes.

Several hours after the bombardment, there were no reports of attacks by Hamas, suggesting that the group still hoped to restore the truce.