Israel conducts ‘extensive strikes’ on the Gaza Strip

As Netanyahu confirmed he ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ceasefire talks, Washington told Israeli media: ‘Hamas could have released hostages but chose refusal and war.’

The White House has condoned Israel’s massive air strikes on Gaza which have killed more than 300 people in the largest attack since the ceasefire with Hamas began on January 19.

The Israel Defence Forces announced just before 6pm (AEDT time) evacuation orders and warnings for two separate regions on the border of Israel, warning the areas “are considered dangerous combat zones”.

Further military action is expected to unfold after the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said those in four specific neighbourhoods should “evacuate immediately” to shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Yunis.

“Continuing to remain in the designated areas puts your life and the lives of your family members at risk,” Colonel Adraee said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said at 6:47pm (AEDT time) 326 “martyrs” had arrived at Gazan hospitals, and said they expected that number to grow. An urgent appeal for blood donations has also been issued “after the blood bank’s stock was exhausted”.

After Israeli Prime Minister confirmed he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the ceasefire, US National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told The Times of Israel: “Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war.”

As the strikes, known as operation ‘Strength and Sword’, began, the Israeli army said in a post on Telegram it was “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip”.

The military said the strikes had been ordered after it identified preparations by the terror group to attack Israel; and because of its refusal to release hostages.

The Israeli Defence Forces said they had targeted Hamas commanders, officials in the organisation’s political wing and infrastructure, and were prepared to widen the assault if ordered to do so.

The IDF said it planned to continue the airstrikes “as long as necessary.”

באל-ג'זירה טוענים: לפחות 20 הרוגים כתוצאה מתקיפות צה"ל ברצועת עזה pic.twitter.com/H5rVok5u1f

— ספיר ליפקין | Sapir Lipkin | سابير ليبكين (@sapirlipkin) March 18, 2025

It was not immediately clear if the operation was a one-time pressure tactic or if the 17-month-old war was being resumed altogether.

“This comes after Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all offers it received from the US presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and from the mediators,” Mr Netanyahu’s office said.

The PMO’s statement added: “The IDF is, at this time, attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organisation 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.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength. The operational plan was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership”.

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.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 18, 2025

In a statement issued shortly after the IDF resumed strikes, Defence Minister Israel Katz said: “The gates of hell will open in Gaza” adding that Hamas would be hit with a force it has “never seen before” if it didn’t release all 59 remaining hostages.

“Tonight we returned to fighting in Gaza in light of Hamas’s refusal to release the hostages and amid its threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities,” Mr Katz said.

“We will not stop fighting until all of the hostages return home and all the war’s aims are achieved,” he added.

Gaza tonight.

Damn. pic.twitter.com/scwxJbklBS

— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 â™› ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) March 18, 2025

In response, Hamas accused Israel of violating their ceasefire agreement and said it could not account for the remaining Israeli hostages. In a statement, Hamas said: “Netanyahu and his extremist government have decided to overturn the ceasefire agreement, exposing the prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate”.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll from Israel’s most intense strikes on the territory since the start of a truce had risen to “at least 330”.

“The death toll has reached over 20 martyrs and about 70 wounded as a result of a series of Israeli raids on areas of the Gaza Strip,” agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP.

The Axios website reports that the Israeli government warned the Trump administration in advance about the strikes, along with their objectives for renewed military operations in Hamas.

AFP