The ceasefire has ended: The Israeli Air Force initiated a widespread assault Monday night (between Monday and Tuesday) targeting multiple locations throughout the Gaza Strip. Al-Hadath reports IDF ground forces advancing in northern Gaza accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment. Military officials confirm the plan to resume combat operations was deliberately kept compartmentalized to create a tactical surprise that Hamas was unprepared to counter. Toward the evening, Yemen's Houthis fired a missile on Israel, for the first time in two months.
🚨Sirens sounding in southern Israel following projectile fire from Yemen🚨 pic.twitter.com/COgwziul88
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 18, 2025
Video: Israeli Air Force strikes in Gaza on March 18, 2025. Credit: IDF
The latest
6:50 p.m. Sirens sound in southern Israel after Yemen's Houthis fire missile on Israel for the first time in 2 months. Beersheba, Gaza-area communities residents take cover.
5:29 p.m.: Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold additional security assessment this evening with senior defense officials. (Shirit Avitan Cohen)
5:15 p.m.: Palestinian Islamic Jihad confirms the death of its military wing spokesman Abu Hamza. (Shahar Kleiman)
4:09 p.m.: Iran and Hezbollah condemned Israel for resuming the war in Gaza. However, the Lebanese terrorist organization did not commit to reopening the northern front. In a statement, the terrorist organization wrote: "We emphasize our support for the Palestinian resistance and the residents of Gaza. We call on Arab and Islamic nations and freedom seekers to expose the American-Zionist partnership in the war against Palestinians. We demand the international community take urgent action to stop this." (Shahar Kleiman)
3:46 p.m.: IDF spokesperson in Arabic, Avichay Adraee, released a video urging Gaza residents to evacuate to safe zones: "In the area marked in red, especially in Beit Hanoun, Khirbet Khuzaa, Abasan al-Kabira, and al-Jadida. For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to shelters in western Gaza and Khan Younis. Remaining in the designated areas endangers your lives and the lives of your family members."
#عاجل ‼️ تحذير إلى سكان قطاع غزة المتواجدين في المنطقة المحددة بالأحمر وتحديدًا في بيت حانون، خربة خزاعة، عبسان الكبيرة والجديدة
⭕️من أجل أمنكم عليكم الإخلاء فورًا إلى مراكز الإيواء المعروفة في غرب مدينة غزة وتلك الموجودة في مدينة خانيونس.
⭕️ بقائكم في المناطق المحددة يعرض… pic.twitter.com/12fi0u6VnH— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 18, 2025
3:22 p.m.: The White House blames Hamas for the renewed fighting, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes saying the terrorist group "could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war."
2:51 p.m.: Popular Resistance Committees announce that a senior member of their military council, Mohammed al-Batran (Abu Youssef), was killed in an IDF strike in al-Bureij. (Shahar Kleiman)
2:37 p.m.: Saudi channel Al-Hadath reports that Abu Hamza, the spokesman for the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, was killed in an IDF strike along with his family members. Additionally, sources told the Saudi channel that a senior Islamic Jihad official named Hassan al-Naem Abu Ali was killed in a strike in the Khan Younis area. (Shahar Kleiman)
2:17 p.m.: Hamas officially confirms the death of political bureau member Yasser Harb, along with four other senior officials, whose deaths were previously announced. (Shahar Kleiman)
1:43 p.m.: The IDF and Shin Bet continue to strike terror targets belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad throughout the Gaza Strip. Among the targets attacked in recent hours were terrorist cells, launch positions, weapons, and additional military infrastructure used by terrorist organizations for planning and carrying out terror operations, which posed a threat to IDF forces and Israeli civilians. (Lilach Shoval)
1:14 p.m.: Casualties were reported in a strike near Rantisi Hospital in Gaza City. (Shahar Kleiman)
12:31 p.m.: The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a condemnation of Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip, defining it as a "dangerous escalation that threatens severe consequences for regional stability." The statement also said that Egypt opposes the Israeli strikes that "aim to reignite tensions in the region and thwart de-escalation efforts." Cairo called on the international community to intervene immediately to stop the escalation in Gaza.
12:30 p.m.: Prime Minister's Office: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment a short time ago at the Kirya in Tel Aviv with Defense Minister Israel Katz and security establishment leaders.
12:17 p.m.: Sources told Al-Arabiya channel that Cairo is maintaining contact with Hamas officials to hold a meeting in Cairo to discuss developments. According to the sources, Egypt is conducting intensive communications with other mediators to stop the escalation in Gaza. It was also reported that Israel informed mediators that it rejects the current ceasefire. The sources told Al-Arabiya that mediators are trying to secure the release of several hostages in exchange for an immediate ceasefire.
11:55 a.m.: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk: "I am horrified by the Israeli airstrikes and bombardments in Gaza, which have caused civilian deaths. Israel's choice of additional military pressure will only add further suffering to a Palestinian population already experiencing catastrophic conditions."
11:19 a.m.: Turkish Foreign Ministry claims new Israeli attacks on Gaza demonstrate Israel has entered a "new phase in its genocide policy."
11:17 a.m.: Hamas released a statement accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and evading its commitments. The terror organization denied reports that Hamas was preparing an attack, claiming this served as Israel's pretext for resuming hostilities. Hamas insisted they adhered to the agreement until the last moment.
11:14 a.m.: Hamas has confirmed the deaths of several senior officials in IDF strikes: Issam al-Daalis (head of government), Ahmed al-Hattah (Justice Ministry commissioner), Mahmoud Abu Watfah (Interior mechanism commissioner), and Bahjat Abu Sultan (Internal Security mechanism director general).
11:00 a.m.: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently conducting a limited security consultation with senior defense officials at the Kirya in Tel Aviv to monitor ongoing developments.
09:12 a.m.: A senior security official stated following the resumption of fighting: "We are in a new phase of the campaign. From here, we face either development toward another hostage and missing persons deal, which remains the significant goal, or systematic escalation to a comprehensive campaign. The action plan is methodical." The official clarified that Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir is managing the operation, less than two weeks after assuming his position.
Video: The aftermath of the surprise Israel strike on Gaza / Credit: Arab media
Without progress in hostage releases, military officials anticipate a campaign lasting several weeks that will include reserve mobilization. This occurs as the US administration reportedly supports Israel's decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Behind the scenes, expanded cabinet members were not briefed about the attack before its execution, highlighting efforts to maintain operational security by keeping information within an extremely limited circle. On Saturday evening, plans received approval from a restricted ministerial forum without specific implementation timing being disclosed.
Video: IDF chief of staff and Shin Bet chief oversee the operation / Credit: IDF Spokesperson Unit
IDF Arabic spokesperson Colonel Avichay Adraee issued an urgent evacuation notice: "To all residents in the neighborhoods of Beit Hanoun, Khirbet Khazaa, and Abasan – the IDF has commenced a powerful offensive against terrorist organizations. These areas are dangerous combat zones. For your safety, evacuate immediately to designated shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Younis. Remaining in areas marked in red endangers your lives and the lives of your family members."
