What's happened
On March 18, 2025, Israel resumed heavy airstrikes in Gaza, breaking a ceasefire that had allowed for the release of hostages. Over 400 Palestinians were reported killed in a single day, primarily women and children. The renewed violence follows Hamas's rejection of an Israeli-backed proposal, escalating the ongoing conflict.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Ceasefire Breakdown: The recent airstrikes mark a significant escalation in the conflict, indicating that the ceasefire was tenuous at best. Israel's military actions are framed as necessary to combat Hamas, which it accuses of using civilians as shields.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The strikes have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the population is largely dependent on aid. The reported civilian casualties, particularly among women and children, raise urgent concerns about the impact of military operations on non-combatants.
- Political Dynamics: The Trump administration's support for Israel complicates the geopolitical landscape, as Hamas insists on a ceasefire and withdrawal in exchange for hostages. This standoff reflects deeper issues regarding territorial control and the future of Palestinian governance.
- Future Implications: The ongoing violence suggests a protracted conflict with no immediate resolution in sight. The international community's response will be crucial in shaping the next steps, particularly regarding humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to mediate peace.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reports that Israel's airstrikes have resulted in over 400 Palestinian deaths, primarily affecting women and children, and highlights the military's justification for targeting Hamas militants embedded in civilian areas. The Independent echoes these concerns, emphasizing the humanitarian toll of the renewed conflict and the lack of Hamas retaliation, which raises questions about the group's strategic decisions. Both sources underline the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and a population facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
How we got here
The conflict reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostage-taking. A ceasefire brokered in January 2025 allowed for some hostages' release but has now collapsed amid renewed hostilities.
Go deeper
- What led to the ceasefire in January?
- How is the international community responding?
- What are the implications for Palestinian governance?
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
