Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas in what has become the most significant military operation since a fragile ceasefire took effect in January. According to The Wall Street Journal, the attacks were ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with President Donald Trump signing off on the decision, after Hamas refused to release remaining hostages or accept US-backed proposals to extend the truce, signaling a potential return to all-out war.
The Israeli assault focused on Hamas leadership, mid-level commanders, and infrastructure, with Netanyahu's office vowing an escalation beyond airstrikes. "From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force," the statement declared, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The operation received tacit approval from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly demanded the release of all hostages, the paper said. An Israeli official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that Trump gave Israel the go-ahead to resume attacks after Hamas's refusal, with Israel notifying the US beforehand.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, appearing on Fox News, confirmed the prior notice and issued a stark warning to Hamas and other regional foes, echoing Trump's rhetoric: "All hell will break loose." The US National Security Council also weighed in, with spokesman Brian Hughes telling The Wall Street Journal, "Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war."
The renewed violence shatters a two-month period of relative calm in Gaza, part of a ceasefire deal initiated in January 2025. That agreement, structured in phases, saw Hamas release 33 hostages, some already deceased, in exchange for over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a process completed by early March. However, negotiations faltered when Israel declined to discuss a permanent end to the conflict and Hamas rejected further hostage releases under US proposals, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite ongoing efforts by negotiators, the impasse has now erupted into open conflict.
In Gaza, the overnight strikes reverberated across the territory. Osama Humaid, a resident of the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, described the chaos to The Wall Street Journal: "We were sleeping, when we heard multiple airstrikes around us at the same time. People were screaming." Gaza health authorities reported at least 200 deaths by early Tuesday, though they did not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Hamas, in a Telegram statement, accused Netanyahu of endangering the remaining hostages' lives by resuming hostilities.
The war traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting around 250. Israel's retaliatory campaign has since devastated Gaza. Israel has dismantled much of Hamas's military structure, including its top leadership.
Among the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, Israel estimates 24 remain alive, including Edan Alexander, a dual US-Israeli citizen kidnapped while serving in the Israeli Air Force. His mother, Yael, has been a vocal advocate for the hostages' release, her anguish captured in a February rally photo published by The Wall Street Journal. Trump's push for their freedom has been a key driver of US policy, with the White House tying Hamas's refusal to the current escalation.
The strikes coincide with heightened regional tensions. The US has conducted airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen for three consecutive days, while Trump threatened Iran on March 17 over its support for the group, as noted by The Wall Street Journal. In Gaza, the renewed Israeli offensive risks unraveling months of diplomatic progress, with residents bracing for further destruction.
