At least 235 people were killed early Tuesday, March 18, as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Gaza, breaking a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January. The airstrikes hit multiple locations, including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, marking the most intense bombardment since the truce began.
Palestinian health officials reported that many of the victims were children, with residential areas hit where thousands of displaced people have sought shelter.
The strikes came after weeks of stalled negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the fate of the remaining 59 hostages still held in Gaza. Israel’s PM Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of “repeatedly refusing” to release the hostages despite mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
In response, a Hamas official blamed Israel for breaking the ceasefire, accusing Netanyahu of deliberately putting hostages at risk by resuming military operations. The group also warned that restarting hostilities “puts the prisoners in Gaza in an uncertain and dangerous situation.”
The ceasefire, initially brokered on January 19, had facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, tensions had been escalating as Israel accused Hamas of delaying negotiations and using aid blockages to apply pressure. Hamas, on the other hand, insisted that any agreement must include a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza – demands that Israel has refused to accept.
