The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has officially ended as Israeli fighter jets launched a new wave of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

The strikes began after Hamas refused multiple hostage deal offers, Israeli officials confirmed.

BREAKING: Israel-Hamas ceasefire officially collapses.

The war has resumed. pic.twitter.com/g6al18a3Gy

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) March 18, 2025

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At least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, allegedly were killed in the airstrikes, according to hospital officials in Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the military operation was targeting Hamas terrorist infrastructure to achieve the objectives set by Israel’s political leadership.

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Those objectives include securing the release of all hostages, both living and deceased, according to a letter from the office of Defense Minister Israel Katz.

“This decision comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all proposals presented by U.S. President’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as the mediators,” the letter states.

Israeli officials have made it clear that the military offensive against Hamas will intensify.

The IDF and Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, issued a joint statement confirming that they are carrying out widespread strikes across Gaza.

“Under the direction of the political echelon, the IDF and Shin Bet are widely attacking terrorist targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip, more details below,” the statement read.

An Israeli official told Fox News that the IDF’s latest operations have been focused on preemptive strikes against mid-ranking Hamas military commanders, key leadership figures, and other terrorist infrastructure.

The official noted that these operations will continue as long as necessary and will not be limited to airstrikes.

Dozens of targets were selected based on intelligence regarding Hamas’ readiness to launch attacks and its ongoing efforts to rearm.

In response to the renewed conflict, Israeli authorities have decided to keep schools and educational facilities in the Gaza Envelope closed, citing security concerns.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the resumption of airstrikes came after Hamas “rejected all offers it received” from the Trump administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, as well as other mediators.

“Tonight, we returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas’ refusal to release the hostages and threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities,” Defense Minister Katz said.

“If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza, and Hamas’ murderers and rapists will meet the IDF with forces they have never known before.”

Katz reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to achieving its war objectives, stating, “We will not stop fighting until all the hostages return home and all the war’s goals are achieved.”

Following the airstrikes, the IDF instructed civilians in eastern Gaza to evacuate and move toward the center of the territory, a signal that a renewed ground offensive could be imminent.

Hamas issued a statement blaming Netanyahu and the Israeli government for the escalation.

“Hamas holds Netanyahu and the Nazi Zionist occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of the treacherous aggression on Gaza, and for the defenseless civilians and our besieged Palestinian people, who are subjected to a brutal war and a systematic policy of starvation,” the terror group said.

Hamas also called on the United Nations and the U.N. Security Council to convene an emergency session to pass a resolution demanding Israel cease military operations and withdraw from Gaza.

Additionally, the group urged Muslim nations to support Palestinian resistance efforts.

White House Spokesperson:

“The White House was consulted by Israel on their attacks on Gaza tonight. President Trump was clear: Hamas, Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize Israel and the U.S. will pay a price. All hell will break loose.”pic.twitter.com/iawRPgtqry

— Vivid. (@VividProwess) March 18, 2025

Hamas has continued to insist that any hostage deal must include Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the war.

Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected these demands, maintaining that the war will not end until Hamas is completely dismantled both politically and militarily.

This latest escalation comes after nearly two months of a ceasefire that saw dozens of hostages exchanged for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

On Monday, Israeli forces carried out additional airstrikes in Gaza, as well as in southern Lebanon and southern Syria.

The IDF stated that these strikes targeted terrorists who were plotting attacks against Israel.

As the conflict escalates, Israeli leaders have indicated that military operations will continue until Hamas is no longer a threat.

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