Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza on Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The attacks ended weeks of relative calm after ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled, reigniting the conflict in the war-torn region.
Both sides accused each other of violating the truce, which had largely held since January 2025, providing temporary relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. Most of Gaza’s infrastructure has already been reduced to rubble after months of intense fighting.
Hamas, which still holds 59 of the 250 hostages seized during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, accused the Israeli government of undermining mediation efforts. However, the group did not threaten retaliation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he ordered the strikes after Hamas rejected proposals to extend the ceasefire. He vowed to intensify military operations, saying, “We will not stop until our objectives are achieved.”
.@antonioguterres is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in #Gaza, in which a number of civilians have been killed.
He appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished, and the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally. pic.twitter.com/I4XqJZupfF
— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) March 18, 2025The airstrikes targeted homes and tent encampments across Gaza, from the north to the south. Witnesses reported that Israeli tanks also shelled areas near the border.
The Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents in Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza) and eastern Khan Younis (southern Gaza), warning these areas were now “dangerous combat zones.” Families fled on foot, in cars, or on rickshaws, carrying whatever belongings they could salvage.
Egypt and Qatar, key mediators in the ceasefire talks alongside the United States, condemned the Israeli assault. The European Union also expressed regret over the collapse of the truce, calling for an immediate de-escalation.
Israeli airstrikes across #Gaza today have reportedly claimed hundreds of lives.
This video was recorded just days ago, showing the devastation people are facing due to the halt to the entry of aid.
A ceasefire must be reinstated immediately & the flow of supplies must resume. pic.twitter.com/J5mXh3l1ox
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) March 18, 2025Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that 404 people were killed in one of the deadliest single-day tolls since the war began. Among the victims were many children, with 562 others wounded. Hospitals, already strained after 15 months of bombardment, were overwhelmed as bodies piled up in white plastic sheets.
Hamas Officials Killed
The airstrikes also claimed the lives of several high-ranking Hamas officials, including:
- Essam Addalees, de facto head of the Hamas government.
- Ahmed Al-Hetta, deputy justice minister.
- Mahmoud Abu Watfa, head of Hamas-run security services.
Broader Regional Escalation
As the conflict in Gaza escalated, Israeli forces continued operations in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, Israeli jets struck targets in southern Lebanon and Syria in recent days, signalling a broader regional tension.
Negotiating teams from Israel and Hamas had been in Doha, attempting to bridge gaps after the initial ceasefire phase, which saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages and 5 Thai nationals in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel ended the Hamas ceasefire with deadly airstrikes across Gaza, blaming the militant group for the breakdown@DanWilliams explains https://t.co/SxYUjXlSAR pic.twitter.com/sF6l5bJp9E
— Bloomberg (@business) March 18, 2025Israel sought the return of remaining hostages in exchange for a truce extending beyond Ramadan and Passover. However, Hamas insisted on negotiating a permanent end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal, as per the original ceasefire agreement.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua told Reuters that the group remained in contact with mediators and was committed to implementing the original deal.
