As Israel intensifies military action, Hamas navigates facing its weakest moment in the ongoing war and restrains from immediate escalation.
**Escalating Conflict: Hamas's Response to Renewed Israeli Assault Remains Indeterminate**
**Escalating Conflict: Hamas's Response to Renewed Israeli Assault Remains Indeterminate**
In the wake of a significant bombing campaign by Israel, Hamas has not retaliated, signaling a complex shift in dynamics within the Gaza conflict.
On March 18, 2025, following an extensive bombing blitz across Gaza, Hamas's military faction has yet to commit to any retaliatory measures. The airstrikes mark the deadliest incident since a temporary cease-fire was established approximately two months ago. According to the Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties, the recent bombardments have claimed over 400 lives since they commenced before dawn.
Despite the devastation, there has been a conspicuous lack of rocket launches or ambush attempts from Palestinian combatants targeting Israeli forces throughout the day. Suhail al-Hindi, a spokesperson for Hamas, stated that while the group wishes to return to a cease-fire, they will defend their rights to respond to aggression when appropriate. "Decisions on how to respond are left to those on the ground who fully understand the occupation," he communicated in a phone interview.
The prolonged conflict has notably undermined Hamas, the group that governs Gaza, as Israel's military operations over the past 15 months have resulted in significant loss of life among Hamas fighters and destruction of critical infrastructure, such as their extensive tunnel networks, which were essential for storing arms. Consequently, Hamas's capability to retaliate effectively has been severely compromised.
Despite the devastation, there has been a conspicuous lack of rocket launches or ambush attempts from Palestinian combatants targeting Israeli forces throughout the day. Suhail al-Hindi, a spokesperson for Hamas, stated that while the group wishes to return to a cease-fire, they will defend their rights to respond to aggression when appropriate. "Decisions on how to respond are left to those on the ground who fully understand the occupation," he communicated in a phone interview.
The prolonged conflict has notably undermined Hamas, the group that governs Gaza, as Israel's military operations over the past 15 months have resulted in significant loss of life among Hamas fighters and destruction of critical infrastructure, such as their extensive tunnel networks, which were essential for storing arms. Consequently, Hamas's capability to retaliate effectively has been severely compromised.
