Israel’s military announced it has launched extensive strikes on terrorist targets in Gaza early Tuesday, resulting in at least 30 fatalities, according to local officials. This represents the most intensive airstrikes since a ceasefire began on January 19.
A senior, unnamed member of Hamas told Reuters that Israel is unilaterally ending the ceasefire.
Medical reports indicate that at least 30 people have been killed. The Palestinian civil emergency service mentioned that Israel executed at least 35 airstrikes across the Gaza Strip. In Gaza City, medics confirmed that at least eight Palestinians, including children, have been killed.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not released specifics about the strikes, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that these attacks are aimed at achieving the war objectives, as decided by political leadership, which includes securing the release of all hostages.
Related: Israeli airstrikes killings reportedly reach nine as Hamas reiterates its ceasefire demands in Gaza.
This escalation follows Hamas’s persistent refusal to release hostages and its dismissal of all proposals presented by the US President’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the mediators.
Three houses were damaged in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, a building was hit in Gaza City, and strikes were aimed at targets in Khan Younis and Rafah, according to medics and bystanders.
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement concluded two weeks ago, but Israel has chosen not to enact the scheduled second phase. This phase was supposed to involve their withdrawal from Gaza, the liberation of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, and a definitive halt to the conflict.
Moreover, Israel has disrupted all aid to Gaza during the past two weeks, violating the ceasefire agreement in an attempt to compel Hamas to accept its terms. This action has drawn criticism from the UK, France, and Germany.
Hamas has stated that it will only release hostages if Israel removes its blockade, withdraws from its strategic corridor along the border with Egypt, and releases more Palestinian prisoners.
Further details will be provided…
Reporting in collaboration with Reuters
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/18/israel-gaza-strikes-deaths-latest-update
