Prøve GULL - Gratis
Gaza strikes show hostages are not Israel's top priority
The Independent
|March 19, 2025
Breaking of the ceasefire comes at a time of internal unrest ption trial, reports

In the early hours yesterday, families in Gaza were shaken awake by the return of ferocious bombardment from the air and land. The tense calm of a fragile ceasefire – brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt and in place since January – had been shattered.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the renewed offensive, vowing that Israel will “from now on act against Hamas with increasing military strength”, blaming the group for its “repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals”.
It comes just two weeks after he ordered Israel to cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity, and other supplies to Gaza’s two million people to try and put pressure on Hamas to accept a new deal.
Mr Netanyahu has seemingly refused to bow to pressure from the families of the hostages to continue the truce and bring their loved ones home.
On yesterday morning the largest faction representing hostages’ families said their “greatest fear has come true – the Israeli government has chosen to abandon the hostages”.
They warned that “resuming fighting will cost more hostages their lives”, before saying: “We must stop the fighting and immediately return to the negotiation table.”
Hamas militant group, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu of upending the ceasefire agreement and in a veiled threat, said the fighting exposed the remaining hostages “to an unknown fate”.
So what happened?
The ceasefire was supposed to consist of three phases, the first of which expired two weeks ago and saw Hamas hand over 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Denne historien er fra March 19, 2025-utgaven av The Independent.
Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Independent

The Independent
This nation of meat lovers doesn't need a £600 steak
With the UK arm reporting a £5.5m loss and US branches shut, Hannah Twiggs asks what Salt Bae's downfall reveals about the end of food as flex - and the rise of quiet luxury
5 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
'Life's too short: go for what it is you secretly long to do'
Alex Kingston sits down with Helen Coffey to talk 'Strictly', recovery from uterine cancer, repping for superwomen over 60, and resisting getting embroiled in social media drama
8 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
Macron reappoints Lecornu as PM days after resignation
French president Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as the country's prime minister, just days after he offered his resignation.
3 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
‘To be a rebel today is to try and bring people together’
Former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft's Oasis-tinged summer is being followed by a new solo album and arena tour of his own. Time to bury the hatchet with Mark Beaumont and reflect on his extraordinary, rebellious career so far
8 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
‘So many are missing work just to see the car go past’
Manchester was united in blue as it paid tribute to a favourite son. Alex Pattle reports on a stirring farewell that proved Ricky Hatton was treasured even more as a man than a boxer
3 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
Melania ‘in talks’ with Putin over war-displaced children
The US first lady has 'an open channel of communication' regarding Ukrainian children being held captive by Moscow
3 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
Migrant guilty of threats to kill Farage in TikTok video
An Afghan migrant who came over to the UK via small boats was found guilty yesterday of making threats to kill Nigel Farage on TikTok.
3 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
Cooper says she was unable to prosecute China 'spies'
Yvette Cooper has claimed that she wanted alleged Chinese spies prosecuted when she was home secretary, but that her hands were tied.
4 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
When the celebrations end, Netanyahu faces reckoning
The scene in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, on Thursday afternoon was one of nervous relief rather than joy.
3 mins
October 11, 2025

The Independent
We should not be surprised if gigantic AI bubble bursts
Some 25 years ago, I was shown round a “dotcom incubator”.
4 mins
October 11, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size