Hamas says Israel ‘unilaterally ending ceasefire’ with deadly Gaza strikes; dozens killed
ByHT News Desk
Mar 18, 2025 07:04 AM IST
Israel PM Netanyahu and his government have decided to overturn ceasefire agreement, exposing hostages in gaza to unknown fate, Reuters quoted a Hamas official.
A senior Hamas official said Israel is unilaterally ending the Gaza ceasefire agreement after a series of Israeli strikes that killed dozens of Palestinians, according to medics cited in reports.
A boy stands near the body of a Palestinian man who was killed in an Israeli drone strike east of the Bureij camp, at the al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on March 17(AFP)
A boy stands near the body of a Palestinian man who was killed in an Israeli drone strike east of the Bureij camp, at the al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on March 17(AFP)
According to medics cited by Reuters, at least 40 were killed, including several children, and 150 were wounded in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza strip.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency said in a joint statement that they were conducting extensive strikes on targets belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
White House was consulted by Israel in Gaza strikes on Monday, Fox News reported.
Israel ‘overturns’ ceasefire
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have decided to overturn ceasefire agreement, exposing hostages in Gaza to unknown fate, Reuters quoted a Hamas official.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he instructed the military to take "strong action" against Hamas in Gaza in response to the Palestinian militant group's refusal to release hostages and rejection of all ceasefire proposals.
"Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," prime minister's office statement said.
According to medics and witnesses, three houses were struck in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, a building was hit in Gaza City, and targets in Khan Younis and Rafah were also attacked.
The Palestinian civil emergency service reported at least 35 airstrikes on Gaza.
The increase in violence comes amid ongoing disagreements between Israel and Hamas regarding the continuation of the three-phase ceasefire that started in January.
Arab mediators, supported by the United States, have been unable to resolve the differences between the two sides during the discussions held over the past two weeks.
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