More than 400 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Gaza, with hundreds of others injured, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces struck Hamas targets throughout Gaza in an effort to secure "the release of all our hostages — living and dead," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, adding that Israel would act against Hamas "with increasing military force." It was the biggest series of strikes on Gaza since a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect Jan. 19, ending two months of relative calm.

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is over as Israeli fighter jets began striking the Gaza Strip after Hamas refused repeated hostage deal offers, officials said. At least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in the airstrikes, according to hospital officials. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began striking Hamas terrorist targets across Gaza "in order to achieve the war objectives set by the political leadership, including the release of all our hostages—both the living and the fallen," the office of Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a letter.