The IDF and the Shin Bet started early Tuesday morning to conduct dozens of extensive air strikes specifically on mid-level Hamas commanders in Gaza and some senior Hamas political officials, but not yet senior Hamas commanders like Mohammed Sinwar.
The air force attacks are designed to degrade Hamas's renewed military capabilities after it has been leaked that it returned to a force of 25,000 and Islamic Jihad returned to a force of 5,000, with both groups also rebuilding military defensive positions throughout Gaza.
The IDF will broaden the operation, including a returned land invasion as needed, but it is notable that no ground invasion has started yet, which is different from how sources were projecting a return to war under the newly more aggressive IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, at least until this past weekend.
In other words, the military is observing to see if Hamas will make its negotiating position regarding leaving Gaza and the hostages more flexible, though all signs in the early hours of the attack were that the Gazan terror group would hold its ground.
Hamas reported that over 300 Gazans had already been killed, though there was no way to verify the numbers or distinguish between terrorists and civilians.
Increased IDF forces have taken defensive positions on all fronts, including increased deployment of aerial defense platforms.
The surprise attack was kept a secret even among most levels of the IDF to maximize the element of surprise.
Israel attacks with US backing
However, the attack was coordinated with the US and appeared timed with the several days of aerial attacks by the US on the Yemen Houthis to reduce their response against Israel to any new attacks on Hamas.
The IDF said it was aiming to achieve the war goals "as determined by the political echelon, including the release of all our hostages — living and dead."
The IDF has been instructed to act "forcefully" against Hamas in the Gaza Strip by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Prime Minister's Office announced.
"Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," the PMO said.
“Tonight we returned to fighting in Gaza in light of Hamas’ refusal to release the kidnapped and threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities," Katz said in a statement.
"If Hamas does not release all the kidnapped, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and Hamas’ murderers and rapists will meet the IDF with forces they have never known before. We will not stop fighting until all the kidnapped return home and all the war’s goals are achieved."
“Hamas, the Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.
As a result of the strikes, the Home Front Command has updated its security guidelines, and school has been canceled in the Gaza envelope.
This marks the first significant wave of attacks since the January 19 ceasefire began and comes amid additional reports of attacks by the US and Israel across the Middle East.
Arab media has reported multiple Israeli strikes in Damascus; the US confirmed it is conducting strikes against Yemen's Houthis in Sana'a.
US President Donald Trump has previously stated that Israel would have the full support of the US in all attacks against Hamas.
Trump also stated that “Hell will rain down” on both Hamas and the Houthis and that Iran should be held responsible "and face dire consequences" for Houthi attacks.