Israel resumes Gaza war with extensive airstrikes as ceasefire talks stall; Dozens killed

CAIRO – 18 March 2025: Israel announced early Tuesday the resumption of “extensive strikes” on Gaza, reportedly killing dozens within the first hour.

The Israeli government warned that the “gates of hell” will open if Hamas does not release captives held in the enclave.

Talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States over the past weeks to secure the continuation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and resume captive-prisoner exchange have stalled.

The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, had halted a brutal Israeli campaign that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and devastated the Strip.

Under the first phase of the agreement, which expired on 1 March, Hamas handed over 38 captives out of dozens more it still holds since the October 2023 attacks.

In a Telegram statement, Hamas stated that it holds the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of this “treacherous aggression,” warning that overturning the ceasefire agreement “exposes captives in Gaza to an unknown fate.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that their forces will act with "increasing military force" against Hamas.

In a statement, Katz said Israeli forces “returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas' refusal to release the hostages and threats to harm IDF soldiers and Israeli communities.”

"If Hamas does not release all the hostages, the gates of hell will open in Gaza," he added.