Overnight between March 17 and March 18, Israel launched its strongest round of airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza since the ceasefire began in mid-January. These strikes were not arbitrary but came in response to Hamas’s repeated violations and its well-documented pattern of using ceasefires not to protect civilians, but to prepare for more war. While Hamas plays the victim, it is responsible for the suffering of the people of Gaza—doing nothing to help them, instead using every ceasefire to recruit new fighters, build more terror tunnels, and rearm for the next attack.
Hamas’s Ceasefire Deception
Since March 1, when the first phase of the ceasefire expired, Hamas has blatantly disregarded its commitments. It refused to release hostages on agreed-upon dates—March 1, March 8, and March 15—despite the fact that by now, at least nine captives should have been freed. Instead, Hamas issued a deceptive statement claiming it was “ready” to release American hostage Edan Alexander and four deceased hostages. But this was just another manipulation, using hostages as bargaining chips rather than as a true sign of goodwill.
At the same time, Hamas misled international mediators like U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who played a key role in securing the January ceasefire. Witkoff proposed a bridging deal after March 1 to resolve the impasse. Israel agreed. Hamas stalled.
Hamas’s Real Agenda: War at Any Cost
During the ceasefire, Hamas had every opportunity to help the people of Gaza—yet it did nothing. Instead of using the lull in fighting to rebuild homes, repair infrastructure, or provide aid to civilians, Hamas focused on one thing: preparing for the next war.
- Recruitment: Hamas expanded its ranks, bringing in more fighters instead of focusing on humanitarian relief.
- Tunnel Construction: It diverted resources to build more terror tunnels rather than helping families rebuild their homes.
- Rearming: Hamas worked to replenish its stockpile of rockets and weapons, prioritizing military strength over civilian well-being.
Hamas does not care how many Gazans die. It does not care about reconstruction. It does not care about peace. It has one goal—war. And yet, the world continues to blame Israel, while ignoring the fact that Hamas has spent every ceasefire strengthening its terror infrastructure instead of helping its own people.
Israel’s Response
With Hamas continuing to hold nearly 60 hostages, rejecting negotiations, and using the ceasefire as cover to prepare for another round of war, Israel had no choice but to respond militarily. The overnight strikes mark the strongest military action in months, testing Israel’s new Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, and making it clear that Hamas will not be allowed to turn back the clock to October 6, 2023.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office made this position clear in a statement:
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength.”
Meanwhile, Hamas follows its usual playbook—threatening hostages, spreading disinformation, and making unverified claims about civilian casualties to manipulate global opinion.
Hamas Left Isolated as Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis Step Back
While Hamas provokes war, it finds itself increasingly abandoned by its usual allies. Iran, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—once vocal in their support—are stepping back, each facing its own growing challenges.
The U.S. has intensified airstrikes against the Houthis, who had previously threatened to launch ballistic missiles at Israel in support of Hamas. But now, with American warplanes from the USS Harry S. Truman targeting them, the Houthis are forced to focus on their own survival instead of aiding Hamas.
Iran, meanwhile, is distancing itself, wary of direct confrontation with the Trump administration. The White House has made it clear that Tehran could be held accountable for attacks on U.S. and allied forces. In response, Iran is working to publicly downplay its role in backing the Houthis, even as it continues its destabilizing activities behind the scenes.
The World’s Double Standard
The latest escalation in Gaza is just one part of a larger regional conflict. Arab states have backed an Egyptian-led plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, but they also face competing priorities. The U.S. is conducting strikes on the Houthis, Syria is facing increased tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Israel has stepped up its military action against Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon and southern Syria.
Yet despite Hamas’s clear pattern of using ceasefires to prepare for war, much of the world continues to blame Israel. Instead of holding Hamas accountable for putting its own people in harm’s way, international critics focus on condemning Israel for defending itself.
Hamas miscalculated. It believed it could manipulate negotiations, hold hostages indefinitely, and use international pressure to secure another temporary ceasefire while it regrouped for the next round of war. But this time, Israel is taking decisive action.
The question is no longer whether Hamas will face consequences—it already is. The real question is how much longer it can sustain its campaign of terror before it collapses under the weight of its own lies, failed strategies, and growing isolation.