Israel launched an airstrike across the Gaza Strip on the morning of March 18, killing more than 400 Palestinians, according to local health officials. This was the bloodiest attack in the entire 17-month war, mainly claiming the lives of women and children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the attack after Hamas rejected Israel's request to release half of the remaining hostages to extend the ceasefire. He said the attack was just getting started and Israel would continue its military campaign until it achieved all its goals: killing Hamas and rescuing all its hostages. He affirmed that any further ceasefire negotiations would take place in the context of war.
The Israeli military has asked people in eastern Gaza to evacuate to the center of the territory, signaling the possibility of a new ground operation. Meanwhile, relief organizations warned that food, medicine, fuel and other essential goods were depleted after two weeks of Israel blocking all aid for 2 million Palestinians in Gaza.
The previous airstrike destroyed many houses, shelters and burned down a tent area. In Gaza City, Omar Greygaa, a local resident, said that after the attack, he ran to a hit building and witnessed a horrifying scene. Every room has a body, he said.
This attack could mark a full-scale return of the war that has killed and devastated tens of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. It also raises concerns about the fate of about two dozen hostages captured by Hamas, who are believed to be alive.
A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Risheq, said that Netanyahu's decision to continue the attack would mean a "death sentence" for the remaining hostages. He accused Netanyahu of launching the airstrike to strengthen his far-right coalition government.
After hours since the attack began, Hamas has yet to respond. However, the Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missiles at Israel for the first time since the ceasefire took effect. The missiles were intercepted before entering Israeli territory, the country's military said in a statement. Earlier in the weekend, the US carried out airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed Houthi group.
The attack comes as Netanyahu faces increasing domestic pressure. Major protests have been planned to protest his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the leader of Israel's internal security agency. Netanyahu's trial over a long corruption scandal has also been ruled out due to the war.
Despite the pressure, the attack appears to have brought Netanyahu a political advantage. Meanwhile, the group representing the families of the hostages who condemned the government "deberately destroyed" the ceasefire. Thousands of Israelis gathered at Tel Aviv Square on the evening of March 18 to protest Netanyahu's decision and demand a resumption of negotiations to return hostages.
