Gaza City, March 19, 2025 – The fragile ceasefire in Gaza was shattered in the early hours of Monday night as Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes across the territory, killing more than 400 people, including many women and children, according to health authorities in Gaza.
The sudden escalation comes after 50 nights of relative calm, with residents caught off guard as the conflict reignited amid the holy month of Ramadan.
Israeli forces targeted multiple locations, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah, in what officials described as retaliatory strikes against Hamas.
The Israeli government stated the operation was initiated after Hamas failed to release hostages and rejected U.S.-mediated proposals to extend the ceasefire.
Terror and Chaos in the Night
Residents reported waking to the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and terrified screams. Essam Abu Odeh, a resident of Gaza City, recounted how his family had been asleep when the strikes began.
“Around 2:00 AM, we were suddenly awakened by the sounds of heavy shelling,” he told the BBC. “My daughter woke me up, warning me about the bombs. We quickly took shelter against the walls, fearing that rubble might fall on us.”
As airstrikes pummeled the region, reports emerged of entire families being buried under collapsed buildings. The Beach refugee camp in al-Ahrar was among the hardest-hit areas, with rescuers scrambling through the debris to find survivors.
Ahmad Mo’in al-Jumla was pulled from the rubble at dawn, suffering fractures and a brain injury. His sister recalled the horror of searching for him amidst the devastation.
“From night until morning, we couldn’t figure out if he was injured or not because the scene was horrific, and no one had any news – the entire building had collapsed on everyone in that area,” she said.
Medical System Overwhelmed
The renewed offensive has pushed Gaza’s already strained healthcare system to the brink. Hospitals, many of which have been operating under extreme shortages, struggled to accommodate the influx of casualties.
According to Dr. Mohammed Zaqout, Director General of Gaza’s hospitals, at least seven medical facilities remain functional, but they lack critical supplies.
“The attacks were so sudden that the number of medical staff was inadequate for the scale of these large strikes,” Dr. Zaqout explained. “We are facing a catastrophic situation with severe shortages of medical and surgical equipment, intensive care beds, and medication.”
Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, a senior physician at al-Shifa Hospital, described the humanitarian crisis as dire.
“We have seen many wounded people lose their lives right in front of us simply because there are no medical supplies or any possible way to offer them care,” he said. “Even the medical staff have been completely exhausted after more than a year and a half of continuous emergency work.”
Families Torn Apart
The resumption of hostilities has left families grieving and communities reeling. In Deir al-Balah, Umm Mohammed Abou Aisha lost her mother in a strike that also destroyed their neighbor’s home.
“My mother woke up as usual to prepare her Suhoor meal, getting ready to fast but not ready for fighting,” she told Reuters. “She was killed instantly.”
Mohammed Bdeir, another resident, lost his young daughter when their street was bombed.
“[We] suddenly woke up on the strike, they hit our neighbors… we found this girl beneath the rubble, we pulled her mother and father from under the debris,” he told AFP.
Political and Military Justifications
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the airstrikes, stating that they were a necessary response to Hamas’ refusal to comply with ceasefire terms. The White House was reportedly briefed on the decision prior to the attacks.
Despite previous international efforts to mediate peace, tensions have steadily risen since the end of the first phase of the ceasefire in January.
With negotiations faltering over the past two days, speculation grew that a fresh round of violence was imminent. Still, many civilians in Gaza were caught off guard by the intensity of the renewed bombardment.
“The war resumed abruptly, without warning,” said a Gaza resident who was preparing his pre-dawn meal when his street was shelled. “Fear has once again gripped the people, especially as we are in the month of Ramadan.”
Humanitarian Concerns and Calls for Peace
International humanitarian organizations have voiced alarm over the civilian toll and worsening conditions in Gaza.
Aid groups report that even during the ceasefire, essential supplies were slow to reach the territory, and the latest airstrikes have further crippled access to medical care, clean water, and electricity.
The United Nations and several global leaders have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Mediators continue to push for renewed negotiations, though both Israeli and Palestinian officials remain entrenched in their positions.
As the dust settles on another devastating night, families in Gaza are left to pick up the pieces yet again. Essam Abu Odeh, the father who was awoken by his daughter’s warning, pleaded for peace.
“We do not want war to be resumed. We seek peace so that we can live and sleep without fear,” he said.
For now, however, the return of warplanes and airstrikes signals yet another grim chapter in the ongoing conflict, leaving thousands of civilians bracing for what comes next.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members