On March 18, 2025, Israel broke the Gaza ceasefire by launching surprise airstrikes, with Netanyahu declaring what?

On March 18, 2025, a previously established ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip came to an abrupt end with surprise Israeli airstrikes. These attacks marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, shattering a truce that had been in place since January 2025. Following the initiation of these strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made statements indicating a renewed and intensified military campaign.

Netanyahu's declarations, such as pledging to "press heavy strikes on Gaza" and asserting that future negotiations would occur "under fire," underscored Israel's commitment to resuming full-scale combat operations. He also stated that "Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you – and them – this is only the beginning," further emphasizing the intent for a robust military response. These statements collectively affirmed that Israel was re-engaging in combat with considerable force.

The ceasefire, which had been brokered in January 2025, was intended to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. However, negotiations for the second phase of the agreement reportedly stalled, with Israel citing Hamas's refusal to release more hostages or agree to an extension of the initial ceasefire terms. The March 18 strikes, which included extensive bombardment across Gaza, resulted in significant casualties and reignited widespread conflict, highlighting the volatile nature of the region's security situation.