In the early hours of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Israel launched a series of extensive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 254 Palestinians, including numerous women and children, according to hospital officials.
This abrupt escalation threatens to dismantle the fragile ceasefire established in January and risks reigniting the protracted 17-month conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the decision to resume military operations stemmed from a stagnation in negotiations aimed at extending the ceasefire. He emphasized that the operation is open-ended and anticipated to expand. “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu’s office declared.
The White House confirmed it had been consulted prior to the strikes and expressed support for Israel’s actions.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The surprise attacks disrupted a period of relative calm during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, raising concerns about a full-scale return to hostilities in a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and caused widespread destruction in Gaza. The fate of approximately two dozen Israeli hostages, believed to be alive and held by Hamas, has also been cast into uncertainty.
In the southern city of Rafah, a strike on a residential home resulted in the deaths of 17 family members, including at least 12 women and children, as reported by the European Hospital. The casualties encompassed five children and their parents, among others. In Khan Younis, witnesses observed explosions and rising plumes of smoke. Ambulances transported the wounded to Nasser Hospital, where patients were seen lying on the floor, some in visible distress. A young girl cried as medical staff bandaged her bloody arm.
Many Palestinians had anticipated a return to conflict when talks regarding the second phase of the ceasefire failed to commence as scheduled in early February. Israel had adopted an alternative proposal and halted shipments of essential supplies, including food and fuel, to Gaza’s 2 million residents in an effort to pressure Hamas into compliance. “Nobody wants to fight,” said Gaza City resident Nidal Alzaanin. “Everyone is still suffering from the previous months.”
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International Reactions and Blame
The White House attributed the renewed violence to Hamas, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stating that the militant group “could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war.” An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, indicated that Israel targeted Hamas’ military leaders and infrastructure, with plans to extend operations beyond air attacks. The official accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild and orchestrate new assaults.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a stern warning: “The gates of hell will open in Gaza if the hostages aren’t released. We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals.”
Conversely, a senior Hamas official, Izzat Al-Risheq, condemned Netanyahu’s decision to resume warfare, labeling it a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages. He accused Netanyahu of initiating the strikes to salvage his far-right governing coalition and urged mediators to “reveal facts” regarding who violated the truce.
Stalled Ceasefire Negotiations
The recent airstrikes occurred two months after a ceasefire was established to pause the conflict. During the initial six weeks, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, since the ceasefire concluded two weeks ago, both parties have struggled to agree on a path forward for a second phase aimed at releasing the 59 remaining hostages, 35 of whom are presumed dead, and ending the war entirely.
Hamas has demanded an end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops in exchange for releasing the remaining hostages. Israel maintains