Live: Israel kills more than 430 Palestinians on Tuesday

South Africa has criticised Israel's continuing attacks on the Gaza Strip and reiterated the country's obligations to prevent acts of genocide under the provisional orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

"South Africa is gravely concerned by the military onslaught, and the fact that millions of people in Gaza are facing severe food and water shortages as Israel continues to block aid and cut off energy supplies to the strip," said the foreign ministry in a statement.

"Israel, which has enforced a total blockade of Gaza, has now issued new forced displacement orders for several areas."

South Africa said that under a provisional ICJ ruling issued last year following an application by the country, Israel was required "to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide, ensure humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza, and to preserve evidence related to alleged genocide".

A spokesman for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed  group was killed in a wave of overnight Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip, a senior leader of the group told AFP.

"Naji Abu Saif, the spokesperson for al-Quds Brigades, known as Abu Hamza, and his wife, Shaima Abu Saif, were martyred in an Israeli air strike," the official said, referring to the spokesman's nom de guerre.

AFP reporting

Qatar has condemned Israel's most recent attacks on the Gaza Strip, warning that the current actions "will ultimately ignite the region and undermine its security and stability".

The foreign ministry said in a statement that "the catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip have reached unprecedented levels in human history, requiring urgent action from the international community to ensure the necessary protection for the Palestinian people."

Hundreds are marching on the outskirts of Jerusalem to protest against Israel's renewed war on Gaza and call for the return of captives.

Dozens of protesters also gathered outside the Knesset in Jerusalem. The demonstration's attendants included the parents of released captives Omer Shem Tov and Omer Wenkert.

Omer Wenkert criticised Israel's renewed strikes in Gaza on Instagram, saying the return to war was "a very dangerous step".

"Have you listened to a single word that we, the hostages who came out of the last stage, have said to you? Can you see us?" he said.

Liri Albag, an Israeli soldier who was released from captivity about two months ago, also expressed deep disappointment with the renewal of fighting in Gaza. 

"What about those [hostages] who were left behind? Once again they are forgotten," she said in an Instagram post.

מפגינים למען החטופים צועדים בירושלים, היום.
צילום: אהרן רבינוביץ' pic.twitter.com/jNeErZKZmZ

— הארץ חדשות (@haaretznewsvid) March 18, 2025

Israeli air strikes on Tuesday killed the sister of Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor's founder Ramy Abdu, alongside her "entire family". 

Abdu said in a post on X that his sister, Nesreen, her husband Mohammed Daoud al-Jamasi and their three children - Ubaida, Omar and Layan - were killed in the attack along with Ubaida's wife Malak and their children, Siwar and Mohammed.

"Israel may kill us at will, burn us alive, and tear us apart, but it will never succeed in uprooting us from our land. Justice and accountability await - no matter how long it takes," Abdu said in a post on X, which was accompanied by images of his sister, niece and nephew.

Read more: Gaza: Israeli strikes kill family of prominent human rights monitor

The ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party has agreed to return to government following the renewal of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip, Haaretz reported, citing Likud and Otzma Yehudit officials.

Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's party had officially left the governing coalition in January in protest of the ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Criticism of Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza since dawn on Tuesday is mounting, with more countries and international bodies calling for a ceasefire. Here are some of the reactions:

• Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela called the attacks, which have killed hundreds of Palestinians, “barbarous” in a post on X.

• Turkey’s foreign ministry denounced Israel’s air strikes across Gaza as a new phase in “genocide.”

• Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the ceasefire to be maintained following Israel’s attack on Gaza.

• Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also criticised “the new Israeli strikes and their heavy human toll” and called on "the parties to implement the second phase of the agreement".

• Iran said it strongly condemned a new round of Israeli attacks, saying the United States had direct responsibility for "the continuation of genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories".

• Switzerland’s foreign ministry called for an immediate return to the ceasefire, the release of all captives, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid as it stressed that Israel has “the obligation to protect the civilian population” in Gaza.

• Egypt's foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza, saying they constitute “a blatant violation” of the ceasefire deal and represent “a dangerous escalation” that threatens the stability of the region.

• The EU's aid commissioner called for an immediate end to the renewed violence in Gaza in a post on X, said "it is imperative to return to a ceasefire immediately".

• The UN chief Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by the Israeli air strikes in Gaza, a spokesperson for the world body said in a press conference. He added that Guterres "strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be re-established, and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally."

Turkey said on Tuesday that Israel's renewed attacks on Gaza show that "Netanyahu government's genocide policy has entered a new phase" against Palestinians and urged the international community to take a determined stance to ensure a ceasefire is upheld and humanitarian aid is delivered.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry added it was unacceptable for Israel to cause a "new cycle of violence" in the region, adding the Israeli government's "hostile approach" threatened the future of the Middle East.

"We reiterate our unwavering support for the rightful cause of the Palestinian people and reaffirm our commitment to contributing to efforts aimed at securing peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

Regarding Israel's Recent Attacks on Gaza https://t.co/22jSs5cfSw pic.twitter.com/ftuYDCuI90

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) March 18, 2025

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has updated the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza early on Tuesday, reporting 413 killed and 660 injured.

The casualties were brought to Gaza hospitals following multiple air strikes and assaults, the ministry said.

Several victims remain trapped under rubble, and recovery efforts are ongoing.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has updated the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn today, reporting 404 dead and 562 injured.

The casualties were brought to Gaza hospitals following multiple air strikes and assaults, the ministry said.

Several victims remain trapped under rubble, and recovery efforts are ongoing.

The UK has said it will use its diplomatic influence to restore the ceasefire in Gaza "as soon as possible" after Israel killed more than 300 Palestinians without warning, unilaterally ending its ceasefire with Hamas.

Tuesday's attack, which targeted Palestinians displaced by the conflict, was one of the bloodiest bombardments of the Gaza Strip since the war began.

Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the Labour government would "use the diplomatic influence we have to try to get that ceasefire restored as soon as possible".

His comments came shortly after Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday - before the assault - that the Israeli government had committed "a breach of international law" by blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. 

Asked about the blockade and its consequences, Lammy said: "This is a breach of international law. Israel quite rightly must defend its own security. But we find the lack of aid – it's now been 15 days since aid got into Gaza – unacceptable, hugely alarming and very worrying."

Read more: UK aims to restore Gaza ceasefire 'as soon as possible'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not testify as scheduled in his corruption trial on Tuesday due to Israel's resumed war on the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media reports.

Israel's Maariv newspaper reported that Netanyahu's request to cancel his testimony hours after the renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza was accepted due to "security developments."

Netanyahu is facing three separate corruption cases filed in 2019, which involve allegations of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital, said the hospital is unable to cope with the influx of casualties from Israel's latest air strikes due to a severe shortage of medical supplies.

“Every minute, a wounded person dies due to a lack of resources,” Abu Salmiya told Al Jazeera Arabic.

He added that only four intensive care beds were available in Gaza City and northern Gaza, with the health system lacking essential supplies.

Reaching the targeted areas to rescue victims from under the rubble remains “extremely difficult,” he said.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations after the stocks at local blood banks were depleted.

Tom Fletcher, head of the UN’s humanitarian affairs bureau, has reacted to the “dreadful news” of Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza, urging all those with influence to put an end to the war.

“Our humanitarians have done everything possible to save as many lives as we could in Gaza. Immense suffering among survivors. And now this,” he said on X. “Everyone with influence must insist this stop.”

Dreadful news. Our humanitarians have done everything possible to save as many lives as we could in Gaza. Immense suffering among survivors.

And now this.

Everyone with influence must insist this stop. https://t.co/7S0x3SMJee

— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) March 18, 2025

Israel killed more than 300 Palestinians in one of the bloodiest bombardments of the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, unilaterally ending its ceasefire with Hamas.

Air strikes began hitting all five Gaza municipalities from north to south at around 3am local time (12am GMT). Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed children and babies among those killed and wounded.

At least 254 people were killed and 440 wounded, according to a preliminary death toll by the Palestinian health ministry. Health sources told Al Jazeera there are more than 350 killed. 

"The death toll [is] steadily rising since the beginning of the onslaught overnight, which coincided with the 18th day of the holy month of Ramadan," said the health ministry. 

Yosri al-Ghar, a survivor of the overnight bombardment, said the air strikes killed his pregnant sister, her husband and three of their children. Their fourth child is in serious condition.

Read more: Israel unleashes bloody Gaza bombardment, killing hundreds and breaking truce