Israel Launches Deadly Attacks After Ceasefire Talks With Hamas Break Down

Israel launched its heaviest assault on Gaza since January as peace talks collapsed, leaving hundreds dead and the fate of hostages uncertain.

Key Insights

Israel conducted extensive airstrikes across Gaza, reportedly killing over 400 Palestinians, following the breakdown of hostage release negotiations.
Hamas has demanded a complete end to the war and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel insists on dismantling Hamas and the return of all hostages.
The White House has explicitly blamed Hamas for the escalation, stating they “could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war.”
The conflict has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, and it’s displaced 90% of Gaza’s population since October 2023.

Gaza Under Renewed Bombardment as Peace Efforts Collapse

Israel launched a significant wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025, marking the heaviest military assault since a temporary ceasefire in January. The bombardment targeted dozens of Hamas locations and resulted in over 400 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. These strikes represent a significant escalation following stalled negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attack that initiated the conflict.

The Israeli government made its position clear through formal statements. Netanyahu’s office declared, “Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.” This renewed offensive comes after what Israeli officials described as Hamas’s refusal to compromise during ceasefire negotiations. The timing during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan has heightened tensions throughout the region and raised concerns about broader instability.

Israel has also reportedly renewed ground operations, redeploying troops to Netzarim Corridor, which splits Gaza in half.

International Reactions Split Along Familiar Lines

The United States has firmly backed Israel’s position in the renewed conflict. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the consequences facing groups that threaten Israel and America, stating: “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, all those who seek to terrorise not just Israel, but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay…”

“Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war,” stated National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.

The international community has been more mixed in its response. China, Russia, and several Middle Eastern nations including Qatar, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey have condemned the strikes and called for immediate de-escalation. European nations including France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Switzerland have expressed concern while advocating for renewed ceasefire efforts and increased humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians.

Hostage Crisis

The plight of Israeli hostages remains central to the conflict. Hamas still holds numerous hostages captured during their October 7 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and sparked the current war. A temporary ceasefire agreement in January facilitated some hostage exchanges, with Hamas releasing several captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, negotiations for a more comprehensive exchange broke down, leading to the current escalation.

“Netanyahu and his extremist government are making a decision to overturn the ceasefire agreement, exposing prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate,” Hamas stated in an official release.

Families of hostages and many Israelis have held mass protests demanding prioritization of a ceasefire to secure the return of captives.

Humanitarian Crisis

The war has reportedly created a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to Gaza health officials, and approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced. It is unclear how many of the deaths are civilians and how many are militants, although officials say women and children make up more than half of them. International aid organizations report severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water throughout the territory. The recent strike in Rafah reportedly killed 17 members of a single family, including children, highlighting the continuing civilian toll.

Israel plans to expand its military operation beyond airstrikes, accusing Hamas of rebuilding its infrastructure and planning new attacks during previous pause in fighting.