On Tuesday, March 18, Israel carried out new deadly strikes in Gaza, killing over 400 Palestinians and breaking the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they will use “increasing military strength” on the already devastated territory of the Strip.

In the most extensive strikes since the announcement of the months-long ceasefire, the Israeli bombardments targeted multiple locations across Gaza, including Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Younis. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the strikes on Tuesday morning, saying that they were attacking what they called “terror targets” belonging to Hamas.

At least 404 Palestinians were killed and over 562 injured in the new wave of deadly strikes. “More than 130 children and many women” were killed, including entire families, Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal told CNN. Witnesses described fires and bodies everywhere as the explosions resumed while people were having their pre-dawn meal as part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Now let’s see some action to protect Palestinians from genocidal Israel. We need sanctions immediately. https://t.co/j0STll1eHP

— IPSC (@ipsc48) March 18, 2025

Since the start of the war in October 2023, Israel has killed over 48,000 people in Gaza and destroyed infrastructure, houses and the hospital system. Before the new strikes, Israel had also blocked humanitarian aid and food supplies into Gaza for the past two weeks, in an attempt to impose new conditions for the ceasefire and to pressure Hamas to release more hostages.

The Gaza ceasefire deal was formally approved on January 17 this year, following initial delays by Netanyahu’s office. It entailed three stages, starting with an initial six-week ceasefire, during which Hamas was to release a total of 33 hostages at regular intervals, while Israel committed to releasing 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

In addition to this exchange, the first phase entailed Israeli forces leaving populated areas in Gaza to allow displaced Palestinian civilians to return to their homes. Moreover, each day, hundreds of aid lorries were to be allowed into Gaza.

This first phase ended over two weeks ago, with the deal already hanging by a thread as further talks seemed inconclusive. Hamas was pushing to move on to negotiations for a permanent end to the war, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as per the original terms of the agreement.

However, with the backing of the United States, Israel was attempting to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages in exchange for a longer-term truce until after the end of the Ramadan month. Speaking on Tuesday, Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua said that communication with mediators was ongoing and the group was looking to implement the original Gaza ceasefire deal.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the Trump administration was notified by Israel ahead of the air strikes on Gaza. “As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay,” she said in a Fox News interview.

Israel’s actions were condemned by UN officials, with Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, saying: “This is unconscionable. A ceasefire must be reinstated immediately. People in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering.”

After news of the air strikes broke, pro-Palestinian protestors gathered outside Leinster House in Dublin, calling on the Irish State to impose sanctions and pass crucial legislation to protect Palestine, as well as denouncing the use of Shannon Airport by the US military.