Gaza faced another devastating escalation on May 18, 2025, as Israel launched a widespread ground offensive in both the northern and southern parts of the enclave. The move came shortly after health authorities in Gaza reported over 130 deaths in a single night due to intense Israeli airstrikes targeting densely populated areas, including tent camps housing displaced civilians in Khan Younis.
Despite ongoing indirect negotiations in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, officials from both sides confirmed that no meaningful progress had been made. The discussions had centered around a ceasefire, a potential hostage exchange, and a possible plan for Hamas members to leave Gaza under the condition of demilitarizing the region. However, Hamas rejected these terms, as they have in the past.
In a sign of possible strategic flexibility, Israel’s military later hinted it might reduce its offensive if it could help achieve a breakthrough in the Doha talks. Military chief Eyal Zamir assured troops stationed in Gaza that operations would remain responsive to any developments that could aid in reaching a hostage agreement.
The latest ground campaign, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” has included airstrikes on over 670 Hamas-linked sites over the last week, according to the Israeli military, which claimed it had killed dozens of Hamas fighters.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least 464 Palestinians were killed in the past week alone, not including the 130-plus casualties from the latest overnight strikes. Spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran told Reuters that entire families had been erased from the civil registry following the bombardment.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate rapidly. Since early March, Israel has severely restricted the flow of food, fuel, and medical aid into Gaza in a bid to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Humanitarian experts warn the enclave is on the brink of famine, with overwhelmed hospitals struggling to treat the injured and sick.
Meanwhile, Hamas maintains its offer to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a complete halt to the war, withdrawal of Israeli forces, unblocking aid routes, and the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. Israel, however, insists its objective remains the full dismantling of Hamas’ military and governing power in Gaza—a campaign sparked by Hamas’ deadly attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.
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