In the early hours of Tuesday, March 18 2025, Israel launched its largest assault on Gaza since the ceasefire began two months ago, resulting in the death of at least 326 people.
The extensive airstrikes have shattered the fragile peace that had been maintained since January 19, plunging the region back into violence and uncertainty. Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirmed that among the dead were numerous civilians, including children, women, and elderly individuals. The strikes targeted densely populated residential areas, makeshift schools, and shelters where families had sought refuge from previous conflicts.
According to medical sources in Gaza, the heaviest casualties occurred in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where at least 77 people were killed. Further fatalities were reported from Gaza City, Deir Al-Balah, and Rafah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that their operations were aimed at Hamas targets and described them as “extensive strikes on terror targets” linked to the Hamas organisation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the military action by citing Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli captives and its rejection of proposals aimed at extending the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s government announced that Israel would now act with “increased military force” against Hamas, marking a clear escalation in hostilities.
Hamas has strongly condemned these actions as a unilateral termination of the ceasefire agreement. In response, Hamas called upon Arab and Islamic nations and international communities to protest against Israel’s renewed aggression.
Ceasefire Negotiations Collapse
The recent violence has come amid stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a three-phase ceasefire agreement initiated in January. The first phase involved prisoner exchanges and a temporary halt to hostilities. However, disagreements emerged over the implementation of subsequent phases, particularly concerning the release of additional captives held by Hamas.
Israel accused Hamas of deliberately obstructing negotiations by refusing to release hostages or engage constructively with mediators. Conversely, Hamas accused Netanyahu’s administration of intentionally undermining efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) echoed these sentiments, criticising Israel for “intentionally undermining all attempts to achieve a ceasefire”.
Arab intermediaries supported by the United States have struggled unsuccessfully over recent weeks to bridge differences between the conflicting parties. Hamas previously offered to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander along with several bodies of hostages if Israel agreed immediately to begin discussions on implementing phase two of the ceasefire agreement. Israel rejected this offer as psychological warfare aimed at hostage families.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The renewed conflict adds to an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since October 2023, when hostilities initially erupted following a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas into southern Israel killing approximately 1,200 Israelis and capturing 251 hostages, Gaza has experienced devastating consequences. Israeli retaliatory strikes since then have resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries exceeding 112,000.
Nearly all of Gaza’s population of approximately 2.3 million people have been displaced or rendered homeless due to repeated bombardments and destruction of infrastructure. Tuesday’s strikes have further intensified suffering among civilians trapped within Gaza under an ongoing Israeli blockade restricting essential supplies like food, medicine, fuel, and humanitarian aid.
As rescue operations continue amid rubble-strewn streets searching for survivors beneath collapsed buildings, fears mount that casualty numbers will rise significantly higher. With diplomatic efforts faltering and both sides entrenched in their positions, prospects for peace remain bleak as Gaza once again endures devastating violence.
