The wave of Israeli strikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday was the culmination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to get out of the ceasefire with Hamas that he agreed to in January.

“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.