Israeli airstrikes kill 220 in Gaza as ceasefire collapses amid stalled truce talks

Intense airstrikes resume in Gaza, hundreds killed and injured

At least 220 people were killed and around 150 others injured in Gaza on Tuesday as Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Hamas targets. The strikes, the deadliest since the ceasefire began on January 19, came after weeks of truce negotiations failed to reach an agreement.

Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that the airstrikes, carried out during the holy month of Ramadan, primarily killed children, women, and the elderly. Explosions were reported in northern Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, targeting both central and southern regions of the enclave.

Israeli military and government justify strikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating it was conducting “extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization” in the Gaza Strip under the directives of the political leadership.

In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/mYZ1WBPVPG

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2025

The Israeli government closed all schools in areas near Gaza as a security measure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office justified the strikes, blaming Hamas’s refusal to release hostages and its rejection of all proposals mediated by US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff.

“The IDF is attacking Hamas targets throughout Gaza to achieve the war’s objectives, including the release of all Israeli hostages, both alive and deceased,” Netanyahu’s office stated.

Israel warned that it would now escalate its military campaign with increased force.

Hamas blames Israel for ceasefire breakdown

Hamas accused Netanyahu of deliberately violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming that Israel was sacrificing its own hostages to continue the war.

“Netanyahu’s decision to resume war is a decision to sacrifice the occupation’s prisoners and impose a death sentence on them,” a Hamas official said, calling the renewed conflict a political distraction from Israel’s internal crises.

Hamas further warned that Israel’s military escalation would put hostages in Gaza at risk.

US consultation and international response

A White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel had consulted the administration of US President Donald Trump before carrying out the strikes.

Ceasefire talks collapse over disputed terms

The renewed violence follows the collapse of truce negotiations. Israel sought to extend the first phase of the three-stage ceasefire, while Hamas insisted it would only release additional hostages in the second phase, which was scheduled to begin on March 2.

Israel demanded that any transition to the next phase include “the total demilitarization of Gaza” and the removal of Hamas, which has controlled the territory since 2007.

Last week, Hamas proposed releasing American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and four hostages’ bodies if Israel committed to negotiating the second phase of the agreement. Israel rejected the offer, accusing Hamas of psychological warfare against hostage families.

Previous ceasefire and ongoing hostage crisis

During the initial ceasefire, Hamas freed 33 Israeli hostages, including five bodies, and five Thai nationals in exchange for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas still holds around 59 hostages.

The only prior Gaza truce lasted for a week in November 2023, during which hostages were exchanged between both sides.

Background: The Gaza War

The conflict began when Hamas led a cross-border attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages.

Israel’s military retaliated with airstrikes, which, according to reports, have since killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and injured over 112,000.

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