Ceasefire in Gaza Collapses: Over 220 Dead After Israeli Airstrikes

At least 220 people, including dozens of children, were killed overnight following intense airstrikes launched by Israel against the Gaza Strip, effectively ending the January 19 ceasefire unilaterally. On Tuesday morning (March 18, 2025), Israel carried out extensive strikes targeting Hamas infrastructure, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including children, women, and the elderly, with dozens more injured in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces announced their intention to continue targeting political and military leaders of Hamas and its facilities indefinitely, signaling further ground operations. According to Mahmoud Basal, a representative of Gaza’s civil defense, at least 220 fatalities were recorded, mostly children, women, and the elderly. Among them, 103 bodies were transported to Khan Younis hospital mortuaries (south), 70 were retrieved in Gaza City, and the remaining 47 in various communities. These represent the largest Israeli strikes since the start of the January ceasefire. Urgent updates indicate an initial death toll of 40 martyrs and 150 wounded due to Israeli bombings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the military to take ‘decisive action’ against the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released early Tuesday morning. This decision followed Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and rejection of all proposals from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. With the approval of political leadership, Israeli forces are conducting extensive strikes on Hamas targets. Israel plans to act decisively against Hamas with increased military force, as per an official statement approved by the government over the weekend. The Palestinian Islamist movement accused Israel of torpedoing the ceasefire agreement, accusing Netanyahu of using the resumption of war as a political lifeline. At least 35 strikes occurred during Monday night into Tuesday, affecting areas like Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, Khan Younis, Nuseirat, and other northern cities. The U.S. was informed about the new attacks; consultations took place between the Israeli government and President Donald Trump’s administration before launching extensive airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza early Tuesday morning.