Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his decision to resume air strikes in Gaza, saying ceasefire talks in Gaza would only take place 'under fire'.
In a press conference on March 18, Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that the recent surprise attack took place after Hamas rejected a proposal by Israel and the US to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement that ended on March 1, according to Reuters.
Israeli tanks near the northern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025
Mr Netanyahu said military pressure on Hamas was a "crucial condition" to securing the release of the hostages, and warned that the Israeli army would return to the fight with full force, declaring "this is just the beginning".
The Israeli leader stressed that the current military campaign will continue until Tel Aviv achieves all of its goals, which are "freeing the hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel".
Israel launches heavy airstrikes in Gaza, killing more than 400 people
Also on March 18, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that the new Israeli airstrikes that killed hundreds of Palestinians were not a "one-day attack" and stressed that military operations in Gaza would continue in the coming days. Mr. Saar also confirmed that officials of the administration of US President Donald Trump "were informed in advance and supported this attack."
Meanwhile, the US - Israel's ally and also a mediator - has "given the green light" for Israel's attack. US Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea said on March 18 that Hamas is the only party responsible for resuming hostilities in Gaza, and affirmed that Washington supports Tel Aviv in the next steps.
Palestinians move to Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip following Israeli airstrikes on March 18, 2025.
The statement was made after the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Israel's 80 airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in just 10 minutes in the early morning of March 18. This new wave of attacks has killed more than 400 Palestinians and has been criticized by the international community.
In another development, Yemen's Houthi forces said on March 18 that they would expand their range of targets in Israel in the coming hours and days unless "airstrikes" in Gaza stopped. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea also confirmed that the group had targeted an air base in Israel with a ballistic missile.
On March 19, the US is said to have conducted at least 10 airstrikes targeting areas of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and Hodeidah, according to Reuters.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-quyet-tiep-tuc-tan-cong-lon-o-gaza-my-bat-den-xanh-185250319074000173.htm
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