Over 400 killed, including Hamas’s head of govt in Gaza, in Israeli strikes; more than 560 wounded

Hamas on Tuesday (March 18) confirmed that several top officials of the Palestinian militant organisation were killed in a series of deadly Israeli strikes.

Among the killed were Mahmud Abu Watfa, head of the interior ministry; and Bahjat Abu Sultan, director-general of the internal security service, according to a statement.

“These leaders, along with their families, were martyred after being directly targeted by the Zionist occupation forces’ aircraft,” read the Hamas statement.

The latest strikes mark a full-fledged resumption of war in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire, as Hamas continues to shy away from releasing more hostages and agreeing to ceasefire proposals.

According to media reports citing Hamas-run health ministry, at least 404 Palestinians were killed and more than 560 wounded in Israeli strikes across Gaza.

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Earlier, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to take “strong action” against Hamas in a bid to build pressure on the Gaza-based group.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Israeli PM Office said in a statement.

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It added that the decision to resume strikes was taken following “Hamas’s repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US special envoy to the Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed Israel had consulted with the US before launching the fresh attacks.

Hamas, on the other hand, has been pressing for starting negotiations for phase 2 of the peace deal, as was originally decided. The phase 2 was supposed to see Israeli forces withdraw fully from the besieged strip and permanently end the war in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages.

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As Israel backed out from holding talks for phase 2, US special envoy Witkoff proposed to extend the phase 1 truce for several weeks in exchange for five living hostages. However, later Witkoff accused Hamas of making impractical demands.

“Unfortunately, Hamas has chosen to respond by publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire.”

United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for the region, Muhannad Hadi, later criticised Israel’s move and called for immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire.

“Waves of airstrikes occurred across the Gaza Strip since the early hours of the morning… This is unconscionable,” Hadi stated in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)