Israel’s Airstrikes Kill Over 300 in Gaza: The Largest Assault Since the Ceasefire

Israel’s Airstrikes Kill Over 300 in Gaza: The Largest Assault Since the Ceasefire
Jitendra Kumar
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On March 17th, 2025, the conflict between Israel and Gaza reached a deadly new chapter when Israel conducted an airstrike campaign that killed over 300 Palestinians, making it the largest military operation since the ceasefire agreement of 2024. This unprecedented escalation has set off alarms across the globe, with numerous international organizations calling for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Israel’s airstrike, which involved a coordinated barrage of precision-guided bombs, hit numerous sites in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis. The attacks focused on Hamas’s military infrastructure, including weapons depots, rocket launchers, and underground tunnels. However, the civilian death toll has been catastrophic, with hospitals reporting hundreds of wounded victims and overwhelmed emergency services struggling to manage the influx of casualties.

The Israeli government has argued that the airstrikes were a necessary measure to protect its citizens, as tensions between Gaza-based militant groups and Israel had escalated with an increase in rocket attacks fired from Gaza into southern Israel. Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, stated that “Israel will not tolerate the continued attacks against its people and will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.”

While the strikes were aimed at military targets, the civilian casualties have sparked outrage. The majority of those killed were innocent civilians, including women and children, with entire families wiped out in the explosions. Hospitals in Gaza, already overwhelmed by the ongoing crisis, are struggling to care for the wounded. Basic resources like water, food, and medical supplies are running dangerously low.

The response from the international community has been swift and mixed. The United Nations condemned the high civilian toll and urged Israel to adhere to international law, particularly with regard to proportionality in military operations. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for independent investigations into the conduct of Israeli forces, accusing them of committing war crimes by targeting densely populated areas without sufficient precautions to avoid civilian harm.

As the death toll continues to rise, Israel’s military has defended its actions, claiming that Hamas has embedded itself within civilian areas, making it impossible to avoid collateral damage. The Gaza-based Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that more than 2,000 individuals have been injured, and hundreds of homes, schools, and vital infrastructure have been destroyed.

On the ground in Gaza, the situation is grim. Amid the devastation, thousands of displaced civilians are left in limbo, unable to escape the danger and without the means to survive. The lack of access to emergency services is exacerbating the crisis, with numerous survivors now facing secondary health threats like dehydration and untreated injuries.

For many in Gaza, the strike is a harsh reminder of the fragility of peace. “We were finally starting to rebuild after the last round of bombings,” one Gaza resident shared, “but now it feels like we’re back to square one—only this time, it’s much worse.”

As of now, no clear path to a ceasefire has emerged, and both sides are bracing for further violence. Hamas has already vowed to retaliate, calling for the launch of more rocket attacks against Israeli cities. Analysts warn that without intervention from international diplomatic bodies, the region could be drawn into a prolonged and devastating conflict.

Global Reactions: The United States, while reiterating its commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself, urged both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian protection. President Joe Biden emphasized that peace negotiations were critical to ending the cycle of violence and preventing further loss of life.

European leaders, including those from France and Germany, called for a de-escalation of the situation. The European Union’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and said, “The EU stands firmly behind a two-state solution and calls on all parties to end the violence.”

In the Middle East, protests have erupted in several countries, with people expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel’s actions. The violence has reignited long-standing grievances in the region, with many viewing Israel’s actions as part of a broader strategy to crush Palestinian resistance and diminish hopes for an independent Palestinian state.

The Humanitarian Toll: While the political rhetoric intensifies, the reality on the ground remains a human catastrophe. Families in Gaza have lost loved ones, homes, and access to life-saving services. The destruction of water and sewage infrastructure has led to concerns about the outbreak of diseases, including cholera and dysentery. Hospitals are overcrowded with the wounded, and many have no access to vital supplies like oxygen, painkillers, or bandages.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has been providing services to displaced Palestinians for decades, is struggling to cope with the growing number of refugees in Gaza. In addition to food aid, the agency has been focused on providing medical care and shelter, but with resources stretched thin, many people are unable to receive the help they need.

Journalist Details

Jitendra Kumar
Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.