Department of Research, Studies and International News 18-03-2025

A devastating wave of Israeli airstrikes has torn through Gaza, claiming the lives of at least 342 Palestinians and effectively bringing an end to a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. The attacks targeted multiple locations across the besieged enclave, including Gaza City in the north, Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, and central regions like Deir el-Balah.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, a significant number of the casualties were children. The renewed hostilities have heightened tensions, with Hamas accusing Israel of unilaterally dismantling the ceasefire that had been in place since January 19.

Escalation Amid Political Tensions

Hamas, which governs Gaza, condemned the offensive as a deliberate attempt to terminate the truce, warning that it placed Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody at heightened risk. The group called on Arab and Islamic nations, as well as international activists, to take to the streets in protest against the attacks. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also blamed Israel for derailing ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a more permanent cessation of hostilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military action, citing Hamas’ alleged refusal to release Israeli captives or agree to ceasefire extensions. “Israel will now act against Hamas with increasing military force,” read a statement from his office.

The Israeli military confirmed that it was conducting extensive airstrikes, describing its targets as Hamas-affiliated sites. The escalation follows weeks of stalled negotiations over a proposed extension of the ceasefire, which would have involved the release of remaining Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Scenes of Devastation and Loss

Residents in Gaza described waking up to the deafening sound of airstrikes. Ahmed Abu Rizq, a teacher in Gaza, recounted how he and his family were shaken by the explosions. “We were terrified. Our children were terrified. Calls flooded in from relatives checking if we were safe. Ambulances rushed through the streets, carrying the remains of children,” he said.

Journalists on the ground reported that Israeli strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods, makeshift schools, and residential shelters. In Deir el-Balah, several newborn babies, women, and elderly civilians were among the casualties. The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the assault, accusing Israel of indiscriminately targeting civilians.

“These massacres reaffirm that the Israeli occupation only understands the language of destruction and genocide. Their actions expose a premeditated plan to continue killing innocent people,” a statement from the office read.

Ceasefire Negotiations in Tatters

The latest escalation comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire. Negotiations for a second phase of the truce aimed to secure the release of the remaining 60 Israeli captives and establish a long-term peace. However, discussions have reached a deadlock due to Israel’s insistence on extending the first phase until mid-April.

Since the beginning of the ceasefire, Hamas had released around three dozen captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Yet, Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, signaled that military operations would persist until all captives were freed.

“If Hamas does not release the remaining hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza,” Katz warned, emphasizing that Israel’s military campaign would continue until its objectives were fully met.

Reporting from Amman, Jordan, journalists suggested that Israel’s latest offensive was premeditated. “Political analysts, members of the opposition, and even factions within Netanyahu’s government argue that resuming full-scale war was always the plan,” said one correspondent. “The new army chief has already hinted that 2025 will be a year of war, signaling that Israel’s objectives in Gaza remain unfinished.”

The ongoing war, now spanning 18 months, has left much of Gaza in ruins. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened, hospitals and schools reduced to rubble, and critical infrastructure decimated. The death toll has surpassed 48,000, according to Palestinian health authorities.

As the conflict rages on, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. With no sign of a ceasefire in sight, civilians remain trapped in an unrelenting cycle of violence and devastation, as diplomatic efforts falter and the specter of further escalation looms large.