At least 400 people have been killed after a surprise Israeli attack on Gaza in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Israeli government vows to continue escalating these military attacks, claiming it is in response to Hamas’ refusal to extend the ceasefire, which has been in place since January 19.

But is this the real reason for pre-dawn attack? Or is there a much more cynical explanation — one tied to the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

• READ MORE: Massacre at 2 am – Israel resumes indiscriminate attacks against Gaza, killing 400+ people
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• Israel says attacks on Gaza that killed hundreds are ‘only the beginning’
  
• PSNA calls on NZ govt to condemn renewed Israel air strikes on Gaza – NZ protests
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This week, New Zealand journalist Mohamed Hassan, host of the Middle East Eye’s weekly Big Picture podcast, speaks to Daniel Levy, the president of the US/Middle East Project and a former Israeli peace negotiator.

Ceasefire broken: Netanyahu is exposed.   Video: Middle East Eye