HAMAS were allegedly using the ceasefire as a cover to plan a new October 7-style invasion before Israel’s massive wave of strikes, reports claim.

The Israeli security cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss a number of alerts that point to preparations for invasion from the terror group.

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Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel[/caption]

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Palestinians search for their belongings among the rubble of their destroyed homes, following the Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis[/caption]

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered Tuesday’s airstrikes – the heaviest since the ceasefire began in January – because of a lack of progress in talks with the terror group.

Security forces have identified a steep increase in Hamas’s efforts to carry out attacks against the IDF in Gaza, potentially suggesting an aim to prepare for an assault, N12 reports.

And separately, Israel‘s Defence Minister Israel Katz raised in a meeting that despite a ceasefire reached earlier this year, Hamas hasn’t stopped plotting attacks.

Katz said: “There are constant preparations being made by Hamas for an invasion [into Israel], similar to October 7.

“We must strike them and completely finish the job through both offence and defence.

“This is the goal that drives me.”

But Hamas has slammed the claims, calling the accusations “baseless and false” in a statement on Tuesday.

It read: “The occupation’s claims that the resistance had made preparations to attack its troops are baseless and false pretexts to justify its return to the war and escalation of its bloody aggression.”

Israel has said that the ongoing strikes in Gaza are unrelated to fears of invasion but are in response to the terror group’s apparent unwillingness to release hostages and refusal to advance ceasefire talks, it claims.

Devastating strikes were reported in several locations, including northern Gaza, Gaza City and the Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah in central and southern Gaza Strip.

Children and women are among at least 436 killed in the attack, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

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Injured Palestinians arrive at the Al Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, after the strikes[/caption]

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Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Head of the General Security Service, Ronen Bar, and Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar commanding the strikes[/caption]

Reuters

A general view of the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Khan Younis[/caption]

Hamas’ highest-ranking security official in Gaza, Mahmoud Abu Wafah was killed in the strikes, reports claim.

Netanyahu’s defence minister said Israel had resumed fighting in the Strip while vowing to press ahead until all remaining Israeli hostages were released from Hamas‘ grasp.

One Israeli official told CNN that Israel plans to gradually ramp up operations and the renewed offensive in Gaza will only stop if Hamas agrees to release more hostages.

Another official told the Times of Israel that the military now has a concrete plan “to move forward” their military campaign in the strip.

They added: “If at any point the other side decides to go back to genuinely negotiating, and we go back to genuine talks, then we’ll stop [the offensive].

“At the moment, we’re left without any choice. Without small releases of hostage and without games, the goal is to get everyone out.”

Israel’s bombardment – dubbed “Strength and Sword” by the IDF – threatened to wreck the ceasefire in place since January and fully reignite the 17-month-old war.

Defence Minister Israel Katz warned: “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 still have around 59 of the 251 hostages they first kidnapped during October 7.

Israel’s military said it had struck Hamas targets across Gaza – ending a weeks-long standoff over extending the ceasefire.

Donald Trump gave Israel the “green light” to resume the offensive against Hamas, an Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal.

The IDF said the blitz would continue for as long as necessary and would extend beyond air strikes.

Evacuation orders warning Palestinians living on the edge of the strip have been issued by Israel’s military – including the towns of Beit Hanoun, Khuza’a, and the Abasan suburbs of Khan Younis.

The attacks were far wider in scale than the regular series of drone strikes the Israeli military has said it has conducted against individuals or small groups of suspected militants.

Reuters