Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resumed on Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The latest strikes come after nearly two months of calm in the coastal enclave under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which collapsed due to unresolved disagreements between Israel and Hamas.
The explosions erupted in Gaza as many people were having their pre-dawn meal as part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to a BBC report. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes targeted terrorist cells, launch sites, weapons stockpiles, and other military infrastructure used by Hamas to plan and carry out attacks on Israel.
However, Al Jazeera reported that most of the airstrikes have targeted densely populated areas like makeshift schools and residential buildings.
⭕️The IDF and ISA are continuing to strike terror targets belonging to the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations across Gaza.
The targets struck over the past few hours include terrorist cells, launch posts, weapons stockpiles, and additional military… pic.twitter.com/WYWEOG3BYi
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2025
Palestinian officials reported 408 deaths. Mahmoud Abu Wafah, Gaza’s deputy interior minister and its highest-ranking Hamas security official, was among the dead. Four other senior officials were later reported killed, including Essam Addalees and Ahmed Al-Hetta.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆?
❌ Essam al-Da’alis was eliminated. In his role, al-Da’alis served as the Head of the Hamas Government and the most senior figure of authority in Gaza and was responsible for the functioning of… pic.twitter.com/L5C9N347TU
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2025
Officials said the health system was overwhelmed by the number of injured, which the Hamas-run health ministry reported at over 600. According to the ministry, 25 out of the 38 hospitals in the region are out of service.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that the military is “currently attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip, with the aim of achieving the war goals as determined by the political echelon, including the release of all our hostages — living and dead.”
Hamas still holds 59 hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack. “From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force,” the prime minister’s office added.
“We will not stop fighting until all the kidnapped return home and all the war’s goals are achieved,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Egypt, Qatar, and the EU condemned the renewed attacks. U.N. emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher said the fighting reversed “modest gains” from the ceasefire.
Overnight, our worst fears materialized. Again, the people of Gaza living in abject fear.
Modest gains made during the ceasefire – destroyed.
We must not accept the aid blockade.
Here’s what I told Security Council: pic.twitter.com/TtkT2ztnZC
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) March 18, 2025
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday evening that Israel consulted the Trump administration on its attacks in Gaza.
The U.S. blamed Hamas for the recent Israeli attacks. “Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but chose refusal and war,” White House spokesman Brian Hughes said.
