The conflict continues in the Gaza Strip, despite a truce that started on January 19. During the night of Monday, 17 to Tuesday, March 18, Israel led strikes on Palestinian territory, causing the death of more than 400 people, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. The head of government of the Islamist movement, Essam Al-Dalis, the Minister of the Interior Mahmoud Abu Watfa, and General Bahjat Abu Sultan, were eliminated by Tsahal.
“Hamas could have released the hostages to prolong the ceasefire, but it chose refusal and war”
For the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hebrew State, Gideon Saar, the Israeli army had “No other choice than to resume military action” In order to bring back the hostages captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023. “Israel accepted the proposals of the emissary of the American president, Steven Witkoff, for an extension of the ceasefire, but Hamas rejected them twice”he said.
If the UN condemned these bombings, the United States wanted to remind Hamas that it did not meet the conditions of the truce involving the release of the hostages retained in the Gaza Strip. By this choice, the Palestinian terrorist movement would have “Choose war”estimates Washington. “Hamas could have released the hostages to prolong the ceasefire, but it chose refusal and war”said in a statement the spokesperson for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes.
After these new strikes, Hamas accused Israel of wanting to impose “A surrender agreement”. “The aim of the massacres committed by the occupation in Gaza is to undermine the cease-fire agreement and to try to impose a written surrender agreement with the blood of Gaza”said a movement official, Sami Abou Zouhri.
