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Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled, with Israel seeking to extend the first phase of the truce until mid-April, demanding Gaza’s total demilitarization and Hamas’ removal before proceeding to the second phase. Hamas, however, insists on beginning the second phase, which was due to start on March 2, and has offered to release hostages, including an American-Israeli soldier, in exchange for immediate talks.
The first phase of the ceasefire saw 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais released in exchange for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, but 59 hostages remain in Hamas' custody. The war began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led attack killing 1,200 Israelis, while Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed over 48,000 Palestinians.
At least 330 people were killed in Gaza on Tuesday as the Israeli military launched "extensive strikes" on Hamas targets, marking the largest attack in the region since the ceasefire began on January 19. Gaza's civil defense agency reported that the airstrikes, which occurred during Ramadan, resulted in the deaths of mostly children, women, and the elderly, with around 150 others injured. Explosions were heard across several areas, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and the central and southern Gaza Strip, including Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. Mahmud Abu Watfa, who led Hamas's police and internal security services in Gaza, was reportedly killed in the strike on Gaza City.
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 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in a post on X this morning "conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip" in accordance with the "political echelon".
Israel also ordered all schools close to the regions neighbouring Gaza shut. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said the strikes were ordered after "Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators."
"The IDF is, at this time, attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip in order to achieve the objectives of the war as they have been determined by the political echelon including the release of all of our hostages, the living and the deceased," it posted on X. Israel would now act with "increased military strength" against Hamas, stated.
This follows Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 18, 2025
Mr Netanyahu had decided to "sacrifice" hostages by resuming 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 in a statement, adding that the Israeli leader was using the fighting as a political "lifeboat" to distract from internal crises. In a separate statement, Hamas held Mr Netanyahu "fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement" and said the ceasefire breach "exposes the prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate".
A White House spokesperson said Israel had consulted President Donald Trump's administration before it carried out the strikes.