Israeli Night Strikes in Gaza: Death Toll Surpasses 330, Key Hamas Leader Killed
Israel Conducts Strikes on Gaza, Threatening Fragile Truce
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Tensions escalate as Israel carries out strikes on gaza, prompting concerns about the stability of the existing truce. The Israeli government stated that these strikes, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israël Katz, are a direct response to “the repeated refusal of Hamas to release our hostages and also its rejection of all the proposals it has received from U.S. presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and the mediators.”
The situation remains tense as both sides trade accusations and prepare for further action.
Israeli Military Action Intensifies in Gaza
According to the Israeli government, “Israel will henceforth act against Hamas with increased military force.” The U.S. presidency has confirmed that Israel consulted them prior to the strikes, indicating a level of international coordination.
The recent Israeli strikes have further intricate the already delicate truce agreement, raising questions about the future of Gaza and the broader regional stability.
Hamas Accuses Netanyahu of Sabotaging Truce
Hamas, which has governed Gaza as 2007, has accused Netanyahu of “torpedoing” the truce and intending to “sacrifice” the hostages. In a statement, the Islamist association asserted that the Israeli leader “has decided to resume the war of extermination in which he sees a lifeline for the internal crises” facing Israel.
The group further stated,”The decision by Netanyahu to resume the war is a decision to sacrifice the prisoners (the hostages in the hands of Hamas or its allies,ed.) and a death sentence against them.”
Impact on the Ground
Images show injured individuals being rushed on stretchers to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younès, highlighting the immediate human impact of the Israeli strikes. According to an anonymous Israeli official, these “preventive” strikes targeted ”middle-ranking military commanders, members of the Hamas leadership, as well as terrorist infrastructure.”
The official added that the strikes aim to prevent Hamas from “reconstituting forces and rearming.” The offensive will continue “provided that necessary” and will extend beyond just air strikes.
In response to the escalating conflict, passive defense measures have been activated, with schools in Israeli areas bordering the gaza Strip closed “until further notice.”
International Response and Diplomatic Efforts
Hamas has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council, urging the adoption of a resolution to compel Israel to “cease the aggression” and withdraw its troops from the entire Gaza Strip. A Security Council meeting, scheduled before the strikes, is expected to take place Tuesday at 10:00 AM (2:00 PM GMT) in New York.
Prior to the recent escalation, Israel announced on Sunday that it would send negotiators to Egypt to discuss the hostage issue with Egyptian mediators. The previous day, Netanyahu had “instructed” his negotiators “to prepare for the continuation of discussions” for the second phase of the truce, aiming to secure “the immediate release of eleven living hostages and half of the dead hostages.”
Stalled Negotiations
The truce agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, took effect on January 19, following fifteen months of conflict triggered by the unprecedented hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
During the first phase of the truce, which expired on March 1, Hamas released 33 hostages, including eight deceased, while Israel released approximately 1,800 Palestinian detainees. Though, negotiations have as stalled.
Hamas has demanded a transition to negotiations on the second phase of the agreement,which includes a permanent ceasefire,Israeli withdrawal from Gaza,reopening of border crossings for aid,and the release of remaining hostages.
Israel,however,seeks an extension of the first phase until mid-April and demands “total demilitarization” of the territory and the departure of Hamas before moving to the second phase.
Background of the Conflict
The October 7 attack in southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to official figures. This number includes hostages who died or were killed in captivity.
Of the 251 individuals abducted during the attack,58 hostages remain in Gaza,with 34 declared dead by the Israeli army.
In response, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and launched a destructive offensive in Gaza, resulting in at least 48,572 deaths, predominantly civilians, prior to these latest strikes, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. The UN considers these figures reliable. The offensive has also caused a humanitarian disaster.
Despite the truce, the Israeli army has conducted regular strikes on the Gaza Strip in recent weeks. On Saturday, strikes in Beit Lahia (north) resulted in nine deaths, including four Palestinian journalists, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense.
Israel-Hamas Conflict: Q&A on Recent Escalations and Truce Negotiations (March 18, 2025)
This Q&A provides a complete overview of the escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas as of March 18, 2025, focusing on the recent Israeli strikes on Gaza and the fragile truce negotiations.
Key Developments: Israeli Strikes and Truce Concerns
Q: Why did Israel conduct strikes on Gaza on March 18, 2025?
Israel launched strikes on Gaza due to what the Israeli government described as Hamas’s repeated refusal to release hostages and rejection of proposals from U.S.Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. These strikes were authorized by Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israël Katz. The Israeli government stated it would act against Hamas with increased military force.
Q: What was the stated purpose of the Israeli strikes?
According to an anonymous Israeli official, the strikes aimed to prevent Hamas from reconstituting forces and rearming by targeting:
Middle-ranking military commanders
Members of the Hamas leadership
Terrorist infrastructure
Q: How has Hamas responded to the Israeli strikes?
Hamas has accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of sabotaging the truce and intending to sacrifice the hostages. The group stated that Netanyahu decided to resume the war because he sees it “as a lifeline for the internal crises” facing Israel. Hamas also believes this decision places a “death sentence” on the hostages held by them.
Q: Where did the strikes take place, and what was the immediate impact?
Images show injured individuals being rushed to Nasser Hospital in Khan younis, indicating that the strikes impacted this area. Schools in Israeli areas bordering the Gaza Strip have been closed until further notice as a passive defense measure.
Truce Negotiations and Demands
Q: What are the current statuses of the truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas?
The truce agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, initially began on January 19, 2025, after fifteen months of conflict. The first phase expired on March 1, 2025, and negotiations for the second phase have stalled.
Q: What are Hamas’s demands for the second phase of the truce?
Hamas demands a transition to negotiations on the second phase of the agreement,which includes: