Israel launches new strikes against Hamas in Gaza, killing over 60 including several children

The strikes come after nearly two months of a ceasefire to pause the 17-month long war where dozens of hostages were released for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
| Photo Credit: AP

Israel initiated fresh strikes against Hamas and vowed to escalate military action after discussions regarding further hostage releases hit a deadlock. The civil defence agency in Gaza reported that Israel’s offensive on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 66 individuals and left 150 others injured.

According to agency spokesman Mahmud Basal, 66 people lost their lives and over 150 sustained injuries due to the aggression, aerial bombings, and artillery attacks throughout the territory.

Israel confirmed that it was targeting Hamas facilities in its most intensive assault on the region since the ceasefire came into effect in January.

Early on Tuesday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office directed the military to carry out strikes against Hamas in Gaza.

A statement issued by the office cited Hamas’ repeated refusal to release hostages and rejection of all offers made by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators as the reason for the military action.

“Israel will now respond to Hamas with increased military force,” declared the Prime Minister’s office.

Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official informed Reuters that Israel was unilaterally terminating the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

These strikes follow a period of almost two months of ceasefire aimed at halting the 17-month long conflict, during which numerous hostages were freed in exchange for close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Since the ceasefire commenced in mid-January, the Israeli military has reportedly killed multiple Palestinians who allegedly approached their troops or entered restricted areas.

Despite this, the ceasefire has managed to hold without major outbreaks of violence. The initial phase of the ceasefire involved the exchange of some hostages held by Hamas for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been working towards facilitating the next steps of the ceasefire.

Israel is demanding that Hamas release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for a commitment to negotiate a lasting truce. On the other hand, Hamas is pushing for adherence to the ceasefire agreement, which includes the initiation of negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It is believed that Hamas currently holds 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.