A fragile ceasefire in Gaza unravelled over the past 48 hours as Israeli military strikes killed more than 500 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, marking one of the deadliest periods since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
Hamas denounced the strikes as a “flagrant breach” of the ceasefire, which had been brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States and took effect on January 19, 2025. The truce, intended to halt 15 months of war, had facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in its first phase.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua accused Israel of undermining ongoing mediation efforts, stating, “This is a massacre aimed at derailing peace and punishing our people.” The group has not indicated plans for retaliation but called on mediators to hold Israel accountable.
In Gaza, residents recounted scenes of chaos and terror. As night fell on March 18, airstrikes continued to echo across the enclave, with no immediate signs of de-escalation. The collapse of the ceasefire has reignited fears of a full-scale resumption of the war, leaving mediators scrambling to salvage negotiations and avert further bloodshed.
