Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to escalate military action against Hamas following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire on March 18. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched extensive airstrikes across Gaza, reportedly killing over 340 people and injuring many others, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
🇮🇱 🇺🇸 White House Spokesperson:
"The White House was consulted by Israel on their attacks on Gaza tonight. President Trump was clear: Hamas, Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize Israel and the U.S. will pay a price. All hell will break loose."pic.twitter.com/iawRPgtqry
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) March 18, 2025
Large-Scale Strikes by Israel and Key Target Eliminated
The IDF declared that the strikes were aimed at Hamas “terror targets.” Among those killed was Mahmoud Abu Wafah, Gaza’s deputy interior minister and a senior Hamas security official. The bombardments hit multiple areas, including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, as Israel intensified its offensive.
According to the Israeli military, the strikes are part of a preemptive campaign that could extend beyond air operations, increasing the likelihood of a renewed ground assault. The escalation follows weeks of failed ceasefire negotiations, with Hamas reportedly refusing to release Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu: “Israel Will Act With Increasing Military Strength”
An official statement from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Hamas for the renewed violence. “This follows their repeated refusal to release our hostages and rejection of all proposals from U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators,” it stated.
Israel Katz issued a stark warning: “If the hostages are not freed, the gates of hell will open in Gaza. We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals.” Meanwhile, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, asserted, “We will show no mercy on our enemies unless they free all the captives.”
Coordination with the U.S. Before Offensive
A White House spokesperson confirmed that Israel had consulted with the U.S. before launching the assault. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated President Trump’s stance, stating, “Hamas, the Houthis, and all those who seek to terrorize Israel and the United States will pay a price.”
Hamas, in response, accused Netanyahu of endangering hostages by rejecting ceasefire negotiations.
Humanitarian Crisis and U.S. Ceasefire Proposal
For the past two weeks, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza and shut down its only power-generating facility, increasing pressure on Hamas to release hostages. The latest strikes come just days after the U.S. proposed a one-month ceasefire extension in exchange for additional prisoner swaps. However, negotiations collapsed due to unresolved disagreements between Israel and Hamas.
Ongoing Conflict and Uncertain Future
The latest escalation traces back to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed over 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and led to the kidnapping of 251 hostages. Since then, the conflict has continued with no clear resolution in sight.
The renewed attacks come two months after a ceasefire temporarily paused the war. During the truce, Hamas released over 36 hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, with 60 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, a second-phase agreement has remained elusive.