Even so, the cease-fire lasted for another two and a half weeks after the first phase, while mediators tried to find a solution to extend it
Last week, a mediator named Witkoff suggested extending the first phase for a few more weeks, with the release of five hostages alive.
But on Sunday, a US envoy said that Hamas’s response to that proposal was not going to move forward and warned that there would be consequences if the group did not change its stance.
Good morning
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) March 18, 2025
ICYMI – Israel resumes the quest to destroy Hamas and return the hostages pic.twitter.com/ksf0uyv2Hj
Hamas accuses Israel of ending truce:
A Hamas leader told Reuters news agency that Israel is ending the Gaza ceasefire on its own.
The group released a statement saying that the Netanyahu government’s decision to resume attacks leaves the hostages “in an unknown fate.” Hamas called on the mediators – the United States, Qatar and Egypt – to hold Netanyahu responsible for ending the truce.
They also called for support from Arab and Muslim countries for the “Palestinian resistance” in ending the blockade on Gaza and demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to force Israel to stop the attacks.
“””-“‘”””? “”””””: “”””? 20 “””””? “””””? “”””””? “””? “””””? “”? pic.twitter.com/H5rVok5u1f
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Deaths and injuries in new attacks
According to Al Jazeera, citing Gaza doctors, tonight’s Israeli strikes have killed 59 people and injured about 150 in various parts of the Gaza Strip.
Among the dead are several children, according to doctors.
Unconfirmed videos on social media showed the bodies of babies and young children dead.
Three homes in Deir Al-Balah, a building in Gaza City and targets in Khan Younis and Rafah were hit, witnesses and medics told Reuters.
Israeli military says it may expand strikes:
The Israeli military (IDF) said it has begun a major wave of air strikes in Gaza, targeting Hamas commanders, senior members of the group and its infrastructure.
Dozens of strikes have already been carried out, under orders from Netanyahu and Katz.
The IDF said the strikes began because Hamas was preparing to attack Israel and was trying to reorganize and rearm, and was refusing to release hostages.
The military said it would continue the bombings “for as long as necessary” and could expand the offensive beyond air strikes if ordered to do so.
It is ready on all fronts, with air defenses on high alert.
IDF chief Lt.
Gen.
Eyal Zamir is coordinating the operation with Shin Bet security service chief Ronen Bar at military headquarters.
For security reasons, it has been decided to postpone the return to school in communities near Gaza tomorrow and to suspend the train service to Sderot.
The IDF said it would not release further details about the operation at this time, so as not to lose the advantage of surprise, which was kept secret until the strikes began.
Published in 03/18/2025 04h02
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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