From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
IDF says it took the hostages into account when launching overnight Gaza strikes
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli Air Force’s wave of airstrikes against Hamas in the Gaza Strip early this morning lasted less than 10 minutes, according to the military.
At 2:10 a.m. the order was given, and fighter jets dropped their bombs on numerous targets within two minutes, while drone and attack helicopter strikes took another eight minutes.
In all, the IDF says some 80 targets were struck in the wave of strikes.
The initial wave of strikes targeted mid-level Hamas commanders, members of the terror group’s politburo, and its infrastructure, according to the military. Islamic Jihad members and infrastructure were also targeted.
At least four senior Hamas officials were killed in the strikes.
Targets hit during the day included cells of terror operatives, rocket launching positions, weapons, and other military infrastructure, the military has said.
The IDF says the strikes were launched after Hamas planned to carry out attacks on army positions in the Israeli-held buffer zone in Gaza and inside Israel.
The strikes were planned in advance, and the IDF says it took into account the hostages being held by Hamas. Military representatives spoke with the families of hostages overnight and updated them on the developments.
The IDF has repeatedly said amid the war it does not target areas in Gaza where it suspects hostages are being held. Still, some hostages have been killed by Israeli strikes, according to the IDF’s investigations.
The wave of strikes early this morning, and additional attacks throughout the day, are only a first stage in Israel’s plans to deal blows to Hamas.
The IDF says it has different plans for Gaza at different levels of intensity, which it has been presenting to the political echelon.
Earlier today, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Hamas that Israel’s actions would “intensify.”
The Times of Israel Community.