Israel carried out extensive strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza Strip: Details

According to the Israeli military, large-scale strikes are being carried out on terrorist targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF also stated that after assessing the situation by 2:00 a.m., changes will be made to the defense directives of the Israeli army's Home Front Command. This includes, among other measures, restrictions on the operation of educational institutions in Israeli settlements near Gaza.

"As part of the changes, the areas of the communities near the Gaza Strip will change from Full Activity to Limited activity, meaning educational activity will not be allowed," said the Israeli military.

Jerusalem stated the reason for resuming the military operation in Gaza

Israeli media spread a statement from the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, ordering the military to act decisively against Hamas in response to the militants' refusal to release Israeli hostages.

Netanyahu's office stated that Hamas had rejected all proposals made by US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and other intermediaries regarding the continuation of the ceasefire.

In their statement, which announces a night strike on Hamas militant targets in Gaza, Netanyahu's office emphasized that the attacks are aimed at achieving Israel's military objectives, which include dismantling Hamas's military and leadership capabilities and securing the release of hostages.

"From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force," the statement from Netanyahu's office said.

It was also noted that plans to resume operations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were approved by the country's political echelon last week.

Israel warned the US about an attack in the Gaza Strip

The American edition Axios, citing unnamed Israeli officials, reports that the Israeli government informed US President Donald Trump's administration in advance about tonight's IDF strikes in Gaza, along with the objectives of resuming military operations in the enclave.

Media reports about casualties and airstrikes by dozens of fighter jets

Meanwhile, the Arab news outlet Al Jazeera reports that at least 20 people have been killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

באל-ג'זירה טוענים: לפחות 20 הרוגים כתוצאה מתקיפות צה"ל ברצועת עזה pic.twitter.com/H5rVok5u1f

— ספיר ליפקין Sapir Lipkin سابير ليبكين (@sapirlipkin) March 18, 2025

Later, Al Jazeera, citing medical sources in Gaza, reported that the death toll from the recent Israeli airstrikes had risen to 59 people, with 150 others injured across the Gaza Strip. It was also reported that among the wounded, there are several children.

Terrifying scenes out of Gaza, as Israel renews bombardment, targeting whatever remains of residential buildings. This is following two weeks of a complete siege on Gaza to starve Palestinians & drone strikes that have killed dozens, including several aid & media workers in… pic.twitter.com/tn16o4PofK

— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) March 18, 2025

According to medical sources and eyewitnesses, three houses in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, a building in Gaza City, and targets in Khan Yunis and Rafah were struck.

Israeli press reports that dozens of targets were hit in the attack, with dozens of fighter jets involved in the operations.

Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and violations of the terms of the agreement

Since January 19, an agreement on a ceasefire and mutual exchange of hostages has been in effect between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

In the first stage, a cessation of active hostilities and several rounds of hostage exchanges were planned. Israel also committed to gradually withdrawing its forces from most of the Gaza Strip but would maintain control over the buffer zone to protect its borders. However, despite the ceasefire, there have been occasional flare-ups of hostilities in the enclave.

RBC-Ukraine also reported that, since February, negotiations began between Israel and Hamas representatives for the second phase of the ceasefire in the enclave. The issue is that the scheduled time for the start of the ceasefire outlined in the agreement between Israel and Hamas has passed. The militants of the Palestinian group have still not sent the list of three female hostages who were supposed to be released by January 19.

Additionally, the Israeli government has repeatedly warned Hamas of the possibility of resuming military operations in Gaza if the militants do not agree to the ceasefire extension proposed by the United States and fail to fulfill its terms.

About a week ago, Israel halted electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip to increase pressure on Hamas.