IRIA News

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Gaza was plunged into chaos once again as Israel launched a massive assault across the enclave on March 18, 2025, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

At least 404 people were killed and 562 others wounded in the latest wave of Israeli strikes, with many of the casualties being children.

The attacks targeted multiple locations, including Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, Gaza City in the north, and central areas like Deir Al Balah. The Palestinian health ministry warned that the death toll could rise further as “several victims are still under the rubble.”

The ceasefire unilaterally ended by Israel

Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour has told the United Nations that “life was starting to triumph over death” before Israel tossed out the ceasefire agreement, adding that “There should not be unilateral, self-serving, and irresponsible decisions to excuse breaking the ceasefire.”

Hamas condemned the Israeli escalation, calling it an outright cancellation of the fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19. “Netanyahu and his extremist government are deciding to overturn the ceasefire agreement, exposing prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate,” Hamas stated, urging Arab and Islamic nations and people worldwide to protest the assault.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military action, claiming it was necessary due to Hamas’s refusal to release captives held in Gaza or extend the ceasefire under the conditions set by Israel. “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office declared.

The Israeli military, in a statement on Telegram, said it was conducting “extensive strikes on terror targets” belonging to Hamas. Israel’s Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, issued a stark warning, saying, “The gates of hell will open in the enclave if the remaining captives are not released.” He added, “We will not stop fighting until all of the hostages return home and all the war’s aims are achieved.”

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Israel had consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the attacks before launching the strikes. However, no further details were provided about the nature of the discussions or whether the U.S. supported or opposed the offensive.

U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said, “The blame for the resumption of hostilities lies solely with Hamas,” and the United States supports Israel in its next steps. Shea made the statement at the United Nations Security Council briefing, stating that, U.S. President Trump had made it clear that Hamas must release all hostages immediately or pay a high price.

Civilian casualties

The scale of destruction in Gaza continues to grow, with residents describing the horror of overnight bombardments. The Government Media Office in Gaza strongly condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “brutal massacres” that reveal the true intentions of the Israeli military.

“These brutal massacres committed by the Israeli occupation army reaffirm that this occupation only understands the language of killing, destruction, and genocide,” the office said in a statement.

“They expose the true intentions of the occupation in shedding the blood of innocent people without the slightest moral or legal restraint, proving that they have a premeditated plan to continue committing genocide against children and women, as seen on the ground. It confirms that this is an occupation thirsty for blood.”

A Humanitarian group, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) called on the international community to intervene immediately and said that Israeli attacks, “threaten to plunge Gaza into yet another cycle of mass death, destruction, and displacement”.

“Governments must act now. Israel’s siege, bombardment, and killing of civilians cannot be met with more empty statements. States with influence must demand an end to the attacks and ensure that aid reaches Gaza immediately. Without intervention, more lives will be lost, and history will record their failure.” it added.

Ceasefire talks at standstill

Efforts to extend the ceasefire and reach a long-term agreement have stalled. The second phase of the proposed ceasefire deal, which aimed to secure the release of nearly 60 remaining captives and establish a permanent ceasefire, has been blocked by Israel’s insistence that the first stage be extended until mid-April.

Since the start of the truce, Hamas has released about three dozen captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli officials have now indicated that the military assault will continue.

Death toll in Gaza nears 50,000

Israel’s 18-month-long war on Gaza has devastated the enclave, with much of its infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools, reduced to rubble.

According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 48,000 people have been killed since the conflict began. With no clear path to peace and the latest ceasefire now effectively broken, fears are growing that Gaza will face even more destruction in the days ahead.