Israel-Hamas ceasefire collapses as airstrikes kill 200
Mar 18, 2025The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has collapsed, triggering a devastating wave of violence across the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces launched extensive airstrikes early Tuesday, killing at least 200 people according to Palestinian health authorities, with many of the victims reportedly being children. This marks the largest military assault since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025, ending nearly two months of relative calm.
Strikes targeted multiple locations throughout Gaza, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah in the central and southern regions. The Israeli military confirmed hitting dozens of targets and warned operations would continue “as long as necessary,” suggesting that ground troops could soon rejoin the conflict.
Hamas officials have accused Israel of unilaterally ending the ceasefire agreement, placing the fate of the two dozen hostages still held in Gaza in jeopardy. The breakdown in negotiations stems from several critical disagreements between the warring parties.
Key points of contention include the number of hostages to be released in the next phase and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. While the original ceasefire agreement stipulated that Israeli troops should be withdrawn at this stage, Israel has resisted this requirement while Hamas insists it must be fulfilled.
U.S. officials involved in mediation efforts in Qatar have blamed Hamas for making “entirely impractical” demands during recent negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel has taken increasingly aggressive measures to pressure Hamas, including blocking aid shipments to Gaza and cutting electricity earlier in March.
The collapse of peace talks leaves the region facing renewed humanitarian crisis as the conflict intensifies. With both sides entrenched in their positions, prospects for restoring the ceasefire appear dim as casualties continue to mount.
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