Israel ended the existing ceasefire last week by launching a surprise wave of airstrikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians. That came after Hamas rejected Israeli-backed proposals to change the agreement in order to free more hostages before talks on a lasting ceasefire, which were supposed to begin in early February.

The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of parts of Gaza City as it steps up its renewed offensive against Hamas

The Israeli military on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of parts of Gaza City as it steps up its renewed offensive against Hamas. Israel has vowed to increase military pressure until the militants return the remaining 59 hostages — 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

Israel will take more territory in Gaza and fight until Hamas is wiped out if the Palestinian militant group keeps refusing to free remaining hostages, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

Israel said it has targeted prominent members of Hamas in recent days, including the group’s new prime minister in a “precise strike” on where he was operating within Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex.