The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has escalated dramatically as the Israeli army announced on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, that it has resumed ground operations in the central and southern parts of the territory. The latest operations extend Israeli control over the Netzarim corridor, a key route that bisects Gaza.
This renewed military action follows a devastating air strike on Tuesday, March 18, where over 400 Palestinians lost their lives in one of the bloodiest days of the current conflict. Local health authorities reported at least 20 more casualties on Wednesday due to Israeli air raids, raising the death toll in Gaza significantly.
This resurgence of hostilities has obliterated hopes for a lasting ceasefire, after a period of relative quiet since January. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the new operations as a “concentrated maneuver” aimed at creating a partial buffer zone between the northern and southern regions of the enclave.
Compounding the tragedy, the United Nations revealed that an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday resulted in the death of a foreign employee at its Gaza City headquarters, along with injuring five other personnel. The deceased was identified as a Bulgarian citizen, as confirmed by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israel, however, contested these claims, asserting that the strike targeted a Hamas site where preparations for attacks against Israeli territory were underway.
In the wake of the intensified violence, accusations have flown from both Israel and Hamas over breaches of a ceasefire agreement that had been painstakingly negotiated with the assistance of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. Earlier in this conflict, both sides had engaged in reciprocal exchanges of hostages, during which thousands were released, mostly Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, while Hamas released some Israelis they had captured.
The conflict's roots trace back to an attack on October 7, 2023, when armed forces from Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israeli communities, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the kidnapping of 251 hostages. It is estimated that Hamas still holds 59 of those captives. The violence has exacted an overwhelming toll; Palestinian health authorities estimate that over 49,000 individuals have died due to Israeli bombings and the ongoing ground invasion.
The scale of the devastation in Gaza is profound, with much of the area now lying in ruins. International leaders have voiced their concern over the humanitarian crisis, as access to food, fuel, and clean water has dwindled. The situation has garnered a mix of responses from the global community, with some key players like the United States placing blame solely on Hamas for the renewed violence.
“Israel knew that this was a UN compound, that people live, work, and stay there. It’s a very well-known complex,” said Jorge Moreira da Silva, the executive director of the UN office for project services, criticizing Israel's actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue military operations until Hamas is eradicated. This has led to protests within Israel, as families of hostages question the government's approach while 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 24 believed still alive.
On the ground, the Israeli military has begun distributing leaflets across northern and southern Gaza, instructing residents to evacuate their homes ahead of anticipated operations in combat zones. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned, “If hostages are not released, Israel will act with a force you have not yet seen.”
The latest escalation has triggered widespread condemnation from Western nations such as France and Germany, and regional powers like Qatar and Egypt, who had originally mediated the ceasefire negotiations. King Abdullah II of Jordan has called for the restoration of the truce and aid flow, echoing concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
The latest violence saw several casualties on Wednesday, with three individuals reported dead in an airstrike that hit a house in Gaza City, while an additional airstrike in Beit Hanoun resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries. Palestinian medics indicated that tank shelling from Israel on Salahdeen Street also claimed the life of one Palestinian and injured several others. Furthermore, an Israeli strike killed three in Beit Lahiya, north of Gaza.
As the situation evolves, civilians in Gaza are caught in the crossfire of a conflict that has escalated rapidly, leading to a new humanitarian catastrophe.
