By Nityaasini Sivagami
19th March: At least 300 people were killed as the Israeli air force conducted a number of airstrikes along Gaza early Tuesday in ending the six-month ceasefire that has been in place since January.The significant airstrikes targeted areas such as Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, which constitute the worst bombardment since the truce started. (Source CNN World)
According to Palestinian health officials, many of the victims were children, and most of the strikes hit the densely populated residential zones. (Source CNN World)
The White House confirmed that Israel had consulted the Trump administration prior to the attacks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking on Fox News’ “Hannity,” indicated that the Trump administration was informed about the Israeli operations in Gaza.
These air strikes came after negotiations broke down on the release of 59 hostages who remained in Hamas’s hands in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office explained the breakdown as having been due to Hamas’s repeated rejections, while Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators made attempts to intervene. (Source CNN World)
The truce, which had been instituted on January 19, had led to the freedom of 33 Israelis and five Thais in return for about 2,000 Palestinian captives. Even so, tensions continued as Israel accused Hamas of stalling talks and limiting aid shipments to Gaza as leverage and Hamas insisting on a halt to fighting and a complete Israeli withdrawal—terms spurned by Israel. (Source CNN World)
The Israeli army said the recent airstrikes targeted Hamas commanders and strategic infrastructure. But Palestinian medics and eyewitnesses report widespread damage to civilian buildings in Gaza City and Deir al-Balah. (Source CNN World)
The aftermath of the airstrikes caused Gaza’s already stretched hospital system to come under massive pressure, with the health ministry indicating serious challenges to deal with the number of casualties. (Source CNN World)
