Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the recent wave of airstrikes on Gaza, which killed over 400 Palestinians, is “only the beginning.” Speaking in a televised address on March 18, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would continue to strike Hamas with “increasing force,” asserting that future ceasefire negotiations would “only take place under fire.”
The overnight airstrikes targeted several areas of Gaza, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Deir el-Balah, resulting in at least 404 deaths and more than 560 injuries, many of them children.
The escalation shattered the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which had been in place since January 19.
Netanyahu emphasised that Israel’s military objectives include the release of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. He placed the blame for the collapse of the ceasefire on Hamas, accusing the group of refusing to engage in negotiations for a longer-term peace agreement.
Despite international mediation efforts, including a proposed “bridge” deal by US envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas rejected Israel’s demands, which included the extension of the ceasefire and the release of more hostages. Netanyahu also criticised Hamas for being responsible for civilian casualties, urging Gaza’s residents to avoid contact with Hamas militants.
The latest airstrikes come after months of tense negotiations, with talks on a second phase of the ceasefire deal at a standstill. The breakdown of the ceasefire is raising concerns about the continued humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel presses ahead with its military campaign.
In Gaza, the humanitarian situation is growing increasingly dire. The blockade imposed by Israel, combined with the suspension of aid deliveries for over two weeks, has exacerbated the crisis.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, and aid organisations are struggling to provide basic necessities to the population. At the same time, many people are fleeing northern Gaza after evacuation orders were issued, as Israeli forces prepare for further military action.
The death toll in Gaza has reached more than 48,000, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s deadly airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, killing over 400 innocent Palestinians, mostly women and children.
This horrific act of aggression, in the holy month of Ramazan, is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement and marks a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the entire region once again.
“We urge the international community to play it’s role to immediately end the violence and resume diplomatic efforts towards an immediate and lasting peace in Gaza and the Middle East,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.
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