Israel launched a series of extensive airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, March 18, killing hundreds of Palestinians and effectively ending the recently agreed ceasefire.
The strikes targeted multiple locations, including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, marking the most significant military escalation since the ceasefire took effect on January 19.
Medics and local sources reported that more than 200 Palestinians were killed and over 150 others wounded in the attacks, which included airstrikes and artillery shelling.
Women and children were among the casualties, with some victims found in Al-Tabi’in School in Gaza City’s Al-Daraj neighborhood and Palestinian refugee tents in the Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis.
Israel’s Military Response
In a statement, the Israeli military said it was prepared to continue targeting Hamas commanders and infrastructure for as long as necessary, warning that operations could expand to include a potential ground invasion.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Respond
Hamas condemned the attacks, stating that Israel’s actions breached the ceasefire agreement and jeopardized the fate of hostages.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also criticized Israel, accusing it of sabotaging ceasefire negotiations and continuing a “war of extermination” in Gaza. In a statement, PIJ declared that Netanyahu’s “bloodthirsty Nazi government” would not achieve military superiority despite the renewed assault.
US Response and Trump’s Involvement
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Israel consulted with President Donald Trump before launching its latest attack.
“As President Trump has made clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran – all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but the US – will see a price to pay, and all hell will break loose,” Leavitt told Fox News.
She added that the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and Iranian-backed militias should take Trump’s warnings seriously.
Breakdown of Ceasefire Talks
The renewed strikes come after indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas collapsed.
The original ceasefire, brokered by international mediators, had been in effect since January 19. Talks to extend it stalled due to disagreements over key demands, including Hamas’s call for lifting the Gaza blockade and Israel’s insistence on securing the release of hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Hamas for the truce breakdown, accusing the group of refusing to release Israeli hostages and rejecting a proposal from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff.
Humanitarian Concerns
Human rights organizations have condemned Israel for failing to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and violating the ceasefire terms.
Israel has justified its renewed military campaign as a necessary step to achieve its stated war objectives, which include securing the release of all hostages—both living and deceased.
