On March 18, 2025, Israel conducted extensive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, marking the most significant escalation since the ceasefire began in January. These strikes resulted in at least 220 Palestinian deaths, with reports indicating that many of the casualties were children, women, and the elderly.
The Israeli government stated that the military action was a response to Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office emphasized that Israel would intensify military operations against Hamas due to their repeated refusals to release hostages and rejections of proposals from U.S. mediators.
In Washington, a White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel had consulted the U.S. administration before carrying out the strikes, expressing support for Israel’s actions and attributing the resumption of hostilities to Hamas’s refusal to release hostages.
Hamas condemned the airstrikes, accusing Israel of jeopardizing the lives of hostages and undermining the ceasefire agreement. The group warned that the attacks endangered the remaining hostages and criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for allegedly breaking the ceasefire to maintain his political coalition.
The escalation has raised concerns about a potential full-scale resumption of the conflict, which has already caused extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging both parties to exercise restraint and prioritize the safety of civilians.
