Israel resumes war in Gaza with massive airstrikes, citing Hamas refusal to release more hostages

Israel renewed strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza early Tuesday morning, ending the almost two-month ceasefire after over two weeks of fruitless talks to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. 

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement near 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, explaining the decision to resume strikes by citing Hamas’ “repeated refusal to release hostages.”  

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to take strong action against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.

“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.” 

“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,” the statement continued, while warning that “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.” 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had attacked mid-level Hamas commanders in Gaza and some senior Hamas political officials.

It appears the military is not targeting senior military commanders like Mohammed Sinwar, over concerns that they may be holding hostages nearby. 

Eliminated ❌ pic.twitter.com/v7IPe2nAzU

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 18, 2025

IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee posted a warning on 𝕏 later Tuesday morning, instructing Gaza residents near the border with Israel to evacuate the areas for their own safety. 

“The IDF has launched a massive offensive against terrorist organizations. These designated areas are considered dangerous combat zones!” the message warned.

“For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to the known shelters in western Gaza City and those in Khan Younis.” 

#عاجل ‼️ تحذير إلى جميع سكان قطاع غزة المتواجدين في المنطقة المحددة بالأحمر وتحديدًا في أحياء بيت حانون، خربة خزاعة، عبسان الكبيرة والجديدة

⭕️بدأ جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي هجومًا قوياً ضد المنظمات الإرهابية. هذه المناطق المحددة تعتبر مناطق قتال خطيرة!

⭕️من أجل أمنكم عليكم الإخلاء… pic.twitter.com/N5Hug8TpXw

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 18, 2025

None of the strikes carried out early this morning targeted areas where Israel believes the remaining hostages are being held.

Also, the strikes appear to be part of a strategy of increasing pressure, with Israeli leadership watching to judge Hamas’ response before deciding on a renewed ground campaign. 

The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, claimed that at least 326 people were killed in the strikes. The ministry does not distinguish between militants and civilians, and over the war, researchers have pointed out irregularities in the ministry’s death figures. 

The IDF's Home Front Command ordered schools in the Gaza envelope area to stay closed on Tuesday, and Israeli media reported that several towns in central Israel opened and prepared their bunkers to be ready for retaliatory rocket fire from Gaza or Yemen.

Israel consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump prior to the strike and received a "green light," an Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal.

Speaking to Fox News after reports of the attacks came out, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “As President Trump has made it clear: Hamas, the Houthis, Iran – all those who seek to terrorize, not just Israel, but the United States of America, will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose.” 

The U.S. is reported to have carried out a third strike against Houthi targets in Yemen at roughly the same time as Israel was conducting its airstrikes in Gaza.