GAZA, March 18: Israeli air strikes in Gaza have reportedly killed at least 254 people, according to Palestinian health authorities on Tuesday, raising concerns of the collapse of a two-month ceasefire. Israel’s military actions come in response to the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and its rejection of ceasefire proposals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the military would take “strong action” against Hamas, asserting that Israel will increase its military efforts.
Following the strikes, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for multiple neighborhoods in Gaza. Hamas accused Israel of breaking the hard-won ceasefire agreement, which left 59 hostages still trapped in Gaza. Tensions in the region have escalated as the Gaza war spreads to neighboring countries such as Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, with the U.S. also involved, expanding its strikes in Yemen and holding Iran responsible for any further attacks on international shipping by the Houthi group.
Palestinian health officials reported that many of the casualties were children. The Israeli military confirmed it hit dozens of targets, continuing air strikes as long as necessary, with the possibility of ground troops being deployed. The strikes were significantly broader than Israel’s usual drone operations, marking a shift toward more intense military action.
Among the victims were senior Hamas officials, including Mohammad Al-Jmasi, a prominent member of Hamas’ political office, who was killed along with family members in an air strike on Gaza City. Hospitals in Gaza, already strained by 15 months of bombardment, were overwhelmed with casualties, with bodies seen piled up in white plastic sheets. Authorities also reported the deaths of 16 family members in Rafah, southern Gaza.
As Israel intensifies its pressure on Hamas, the fate of the remaining hostages remains uncertain. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, had been underway, aiming for a longer-term truce. However, Hamas has insisted on permanent peace negotiations, including the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The escalation follows the failed attempts to extend the truce agreed upon in January. This conflict has resulted in massive casualties, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed, according to health authorities, and the widespread destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure. The violence began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli communities, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages.
