Ce bombardement, d’une ampleur inédite depuis l’entrée en vigueur du cessez-le-feu, le 19 janvier, fait « suite au refus répété du Hamas de libérer [les] otages », selon l’Etat hébreu, accusé par le mouvement islamiste d’avoir « décidé de torpiller la trêve ».
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Hamas-run Health Ministry reports 970 deaths in 48 hours. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu warns that strikes are "just the beginning" to free hostages. An UN employee was killed in a strike on a UN building. The Israeli Defense Minister demands Gazans release hostages and "get rid of Hamas," threatening unprecedented action. The Israeli army announces targeted ground operations in central and southern Gaza, controlling and expanding domination to the center of the Netzarim corridor to create a buffer zone. Israeli forces also blocked Salah Al-Din Road. Military activity and arrests are reported in the Al-Ain camp, near Naplouse in Cisjordanie.
