Tel Aviv [Israel] / Cairo [Egypt], March 19: Israel launched a punishing wave of airstrikes on Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, shattering a fragile ceasefire and raising fears of a new phase in the 17-month war.
The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said at least 404 people were killed, with many women and children among the dead, and some 560 others were injured.The ministry said the true toll may be higher, as many remain buried under rubble following the airstrikes that began in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Israeli military later ordered civilians to evacuate parts of Khan Younis and Beit Hanoun, warning in Arabic-language messages that these areas had become "dangerous combat zones." These residents were told to move westward toward Gaza City or western Khan Younis. Both cities had come under Israeli bombardment on Tuesday.
Israeli media speculated that the evacuation orders could signal preparations for fresh ground operations.
The strikes hit Hamas leadership and infrastructure. Hamas confirmed the deaths of five senior officials, including its interior minister Mahmoud Abu Watfa and key figures responsible for internal security and governance. Israel also reportedly killed senior commanders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the operation was a response to Hamas repeatedly rejecting ceasefire proposals mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, as well as the group's refusal to release Israeli hostages.
"Israel will now act against Hamas with increasing military strength," the statement warned.
The escalation comes after weeks of faltering efforts to extend a ceasefire that was first agreed in January. The initial six-week truce allowed for exchanges of Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners and eased the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
While the ceasefire brought temporary relief and allowed some displaced Palestinians to return home, negotiations on extending the deal stalled. Israel once again began blocking supplies of food and aid to Gaza in a bid to put pressure on
Hamas.
According to Israeli officials, the Palestinian group rejected two recent proposals from US envoy Steve Witkoff that included further hostage releases and an extension of the pause in fighting.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the strikes were necessary to force Hamas back to the negotiating table and end the deadlock.
"If we had waited any longer, the situation would not have changed," Saar said.
"Hamas must understand that the rules of the game have changed," said Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in a statement issued by his office.
Katz, who was quoted speaking at a military base south of Tel Aviv, said every remaining hostage must be released or "the gates of hell will open." Hamas, for its part, accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire and endangering the remaining hostages still held in Gaza since the war erupted following the Hamas-led massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023. The group demands that any future deal include a full Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to the war - conditions Israel has so far rejected.
Since the conflict began, Gaza's health authorities have reported more than 48,500 deaths. Israel estimates that around 20,000 of those killed were Hamas fighters.
The renewed Israeli offensive triggered sharp international criticism.
Egypt called the strikes a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire agreement and warned of dire consequences for regional stability.
Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Israel of committing "genocide" against Gaza's population, while also blaming the United States for enabling the attacks. Spokesman Ismail Baghai called on Arab and Islamic nations to sever economic ties with Israel.
Turkey echoed those accusations, accusing the Netanyahu government of pushing its "genocide policy" to a new level. Ankara demanded international action to enforce a lasting ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
Source: Qatar Tribune
