“Hamas’s insistence on holding onto hostages as leverage, and Netanyahu’s politically driven refusal to proceed with phase two of the cease-fire, which called for an end to the war and the release of all living hostages, led to this escalation,” said Daniel B. Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel.

For Palestinians, the renewed strikes brought a sudden return to the carnage and terror of the 15-month-long war.