Gaza city: The Palestinian group Hamas stated on Thursday that Israel's recent escalation of attacks in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 20 Palestinians within 48 hours, suggests that Tel Aviv seeks to return to a 'pace of the genocide war' that had persisted for two years.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas issued a statement condemning Israeli airstrikes that targeted a residential apartment in central Gaza City overnight. The attack resulted in the deaths of 10 Palestinians, including two children and two women, and injured dozens more. Hamas labeled this act as a 'new crime' and a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement signed in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Sharm el-Sheikh ceasefire agreement was established in October 2025 through mediation by Egypt, the US, Qatar, and Turkey, and was implemented later that month. This agreement followed two years of conflict in Gaza, beginning on October 8, 2023, during which Palestinian figures report more than 72,000 Palestinians were killed and over 172,000 injured, with significant destruction impacting around 90% of civilian infrastructure.

Hamas claimed that Israel's intensified attacks on civilians and the targeting of residential neighborhoods over the recent two-day period demonstrate its intention to resume large-scale military operations. The group further accused Israel of ignoring the efforts of mediating countries and breaching the guarantees and commitments made under the ceasefire agreement.