analysis
After weeks of discontent within Benjamin Netanyahu's government, the ceasefire in Gaza appears to be shattered
By Middle East correspondent Matthew Doran in Jerusalem
Topic:War
8m ago8 minutes agoTue 18 Mar 2025 at 5:15am
Benjamin Netanyahu in front of an Israeli flag
These attacks in Gaza come just hours before large protests against the Netanyahu Government were due to begin. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
For weeks, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been on the brink of collapse.
Now, it appears the worst fears for the future of the war in Gaza could be realised.
On Tuesday, the Israel military said it launched new strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza.
Medics in the area reported casualties in what they said were the most violent air strikes since the January 19 ceasefire began.
Palestinian officials from the Hamas-run Health Ministry have reported at least 200 deaths.
The ceasefire, already incredibly fragile, has been shattered.
But in recent weeks, there have been indications this could happen.
In February, just days after being named as the new Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief, Major General Eyal Zamir said that "2025 will continue to be a year of combat".
A man carries something wrapped in a white sheet from an ambulance
The Israeli military said it has hit targets across Gaza with Hamas-run Health Ministry officials reporting at least 200 people have been killed. (AP: Mohammad Jahjouh)
Over the weekend, the Trump administration's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said US strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen should be seen as a warning to Hamas about delays in ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
That may well have given the Netanyahu government a green light to launch these attacks, a week after the proposal was developed by the IDF and presented to the prime minister for approval.
We also know the White House was given advance warning of the strikes.
The increasing pressure on Netanyahu
Loud voices within the Netanyahu government, crucial to the prime minister's political survival, have been agitating for a return to fighting in Gaza.
People like the far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich were making those demands even before the ceasefire came into force, threatening to quit the government — and topple it — if a deal was struck.
But that rhetoric looks increasingly out of touch with the views of the large parts of the Israeli community.
These attacks in Gaza come just hours before large protests against the Netanyahu government were due to begin.
The rallies are expected to include the families of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
They're accusing the prime minister of trying to prolong the war, putting the fight ahead of getting the captives home.
They also alleged he's purging members of the defence and intelligence establishment who defy him.
A group of people holding banners and torches gather in the streets.
Netanyahu was facing increasing pressure from the families of hostages to free their loved ones. (ABC News: Haidarr Jones)
On Monday Netanyahu announced moves to oust Ronen Bar, the head of the nation's domestic intelligence agency, citing "a distrust that has grown over time" between the pair.
There are 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza — only 24 of them are believed to be alive.
Hamas says these strikes "expose" those captives "to an unknown fate".
The domestic response to the attacks on Gaza will come quickly, as Israel wakes up.
Posted8m ago8 minutes agoTue 18 Mar 2025 at 5:15am
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