According to a senior Hamas official, Israel’s choice to recommence the war against the terror group, following a deadlock in ceasefire discussions, is likened to a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages, as reported by The Associated Press.
Among those individuals at risk is Edan Alexander, the sole surviving American captive, who has roots in Tel Aviv and was brought up in New Jersey. A gathering of relatives of the hostages expressed anger at Israel’s determination.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized Israel for opting to abandon the hostages by reigniting the conflict. Urging for demonstrations post the airstrikes, the organization articulated that “military pressure may heighten the risk to their lives and hinder the attempts to secure their safe return.”
There are still 59 hostages in Gaza, but Israel believes only 24 of those who remain are alive. The ceasefire was meant to be carried out in two phases. However, talks on phase two, which would have meant an end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages, have stalled.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with security officials at the Kirya, Israel’s version of the Pentagon, on Tuesday following the airstrikes.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” according to Netanyahu’s office wrote in a series of posts on X as the airstrikes commenced.
A child sits amid rubble as Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025. (REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
Palestinians were ordered by Israel to evacuate eastern Gaza, signaling the IDF could resume its ground operations in the Strip, according to The Associated Press.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk’s office called the airstrikes “horrifying,” saying “this nightmare must end immediately.”
“It is time for the countries of the world to take seriously our unwavering commitment to return all our hostages home and defeat the enemy,” Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement. “Let me be clear: Nothing will stop us from fighting to free our hostages who have been held in brutal Hamas captivity for 527 days.”
Fox News’ Trey Yingst, Louis Casiano, Landon Mion and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
