Gaza City 18 Mar 2025 – Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 200 people across Gaza in a series of massive overnight attacks, Palestinian health authorities reported early Tuesday. The bombardment comes after weeks of deadlocked negotiations over extending a fragile ceasefire that had paused hostilities since January.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the strikes targeted Hamas command centers and military infrastructure but warned that the operation “will continue for as long as necessary,” signaling the potential for a renewed ground offensive.
Ceasefire Shattered: Hostages and Diplomacy in Limbo
The latest escalation follows the collapse of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar and Egypt, which had facilitated the return of 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations stalled as Hamas insisted on a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—conditions rejected by Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of refusing to release the remaining 59 hostages and said the militant group had “left Israel with no choice” but to resume military operations.
“We will act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu’s office stated, reinforcing Israel’s stance that force is necessary to bring the hostages home.
Mass Casualties and Destruction Across Gaza
Hospitals in Gaza, already overwhelmed by more than a year of war, struggled to cope with the influx of casualties. Medical officials from Al-Aqsa, Al-Ahly, and Nasser hospitals reported being inundated with bodies and severely injured civilians.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that at least 86 of the dead had been documented at their facilities, though dozens more were rushed to hospitals by private cars.
Entire families were among those killed, including 16 members of a single household in Rafah. Among the dead was Mohammad Al-Jmasi, a senior Hamas official, along with his grandchildren, who were inside their Gaza City home when it was struck.U.S. Response and Regional Implications
The White House confirmed that Israel had consulted with the Biden administration before launching the strikes, with officials stating that the operation was targeting mid-level Hamas commanders. However, Washington has not yet issued a statement on the civilian casualties.
The resumption of hostilities threatens to destabilize ongoing diplomatic efforts and raises fears of a broader regional escalation, particularly with Ramadan and Passover approaching.
A War with No End in Sight
Fifteen months after Hamas’ October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza, the war has devastated the Palestinian enclave. More than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities, while the vast majority of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes, has been obliterated.
With Israel vowing to intensify its military campaign and Hamas calling for international intervention, the region faces another chapter of bloodshed—one with no clear resolution in sight.
For more updates on the conflict, follow White Horse Daily News.
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