The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came to an end on Monday when Israel made the decision to resume airstrikes in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared on social media that they were carrying out significant strikes on Hamas terror targets in the Gaza Strip. Israel cited Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and extend the ceasefire as the catalyst for the return to conflict.
“Israel expressed its willingness to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages, but Hamas declined. Hamas rejected the option of freeing more hostages and prolonging the ceasefire on two occasions. Consequently, we were compelled to act in order to secure the release of our hostages,” stated Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Marmorstein outlined that Israel’s current objectives in the conflict are to ensure the safe release of the hostages, dismantle Hamas infrastructure, and prevent a situation like the events of October 7th from recurring.
An Israeli military tank takes up position along Israel’s southern border with the northern Gaza Strip on March 19, 2025. Israel on March 18 launched its most intense strikes on the Gaza Strip since a January 19 ceasefire with Palestinian militant group Hamas ended more than 15 months of war. (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was trying to make a “corridor” between phases one and two of the ceasefire plan, which would have seen the release of more hostages, according to Marmorstein. The Israeli official said that the Jewish state accepted more than one U.S. proposal, while Hamas rejected them.
Marmorstein also said that Hamas “rhetoric” on the war “has nothing to do with reality,” adding that statements from the U.S. indicate a “clear understanding that Hamas” is at fault. Additionally, Marmorstein told Fox News Digital that Israel consulted with the Americans, something that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told “Hannity” earlier this week.
“The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight,” Leavitt told “Hannity” on Monday night.
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Brandon/AP)
When speaking to Fox News Digital, Marmorstein offered high praise for the Trump administration, saying that Israel “cannot hope for a better friend in the U.S.” Marmorstein told Fox News Digital that the relationship between the U.S. and Israel reached “new peaks” with President Donald Trump. He also said that Israel was “grateful” for the U.S. and Trump’s support during the war.
Marmorstein expressed confidence in Israel’s ability to defeat Hamas and echoed the message of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, who said that Israel’s “secret weapon” was that the Jews had no other place to go.
“This is the fight that we were forced to fight and will win it. And I can tell you, I know we’ll win it because of simple reason, we’ll win this fight against Hamas and against Houthis and against any other terrorist organization, because we have no other choice,” Marmorstein told Fox News Digital.
