The Gaza Media Office reported on Tuesday that more than 300 civilians were killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting central, northern, and southern Gaza. Sources indicated that the preliminary death toll has exceeded 330, adding that the strikes also hit displaced persons' tents in some areas.

The Gaza Civil Defense confirmed that the majority of the casualties were women, children, and the elderly. Spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told Agence France-Presse, "More than 220 fatalities, mostly women, children, and the elderly, have been transported to hospitals," adding that "Israel carried out over 200 airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling.

Eyewitnesses reported that the strikes were concentrated in northern and central Gaza, with successive explosions heard. Ambulance and civil defense teams faced difficulties reaching the targeted areas due to the intensity of the attacks, according to Reuters.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated that Israeli forces "resumed fighting in Gaza due to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and its threats to harm Israeli soldiers." In a brief statement, he warned, "If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and Hamas fighters will face forces they have never encountered before.

Katz emphasized that the airstrikes would not cease until all hostages are returned and the war achieves all its objectives. Meanwhile, Israel's UN envoy, Danny Danon, declared in a video statement that "Israel will not stop until the hostages are returned, even if the Security Council meets every day." He urged the international community to take Israel's commitment to retrieving the hostages seriously.