Fact Check: israel broke the ceasefire

Fact Check: "Israel broke the ceasefire"

What We Know

The claim that "Israel broke the ceasefire" stems from recent events in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. A ceasefire was established following intense negotiations and was intended to halt hostilities that had escalated significantly since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of 251 individuals by Hamas (Gaza ceasefire deal - the latest on the truce). The ceasefire allowed for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as humanitarian aid to Gaza (2023 Gaza war ceasefire).

However, on March 18, 2025, Israel launched a series of air strikes on Gaza, which the Israeli military described as "pre-emptive strikes" against Hamas targets. This action was justified by Israel as a response to Hamas's alleged preparations for further attacks and its refusal to release hostages (Gaza ceasefire deal - the latest on the truce). While the ceasefire had not been officially declared over, the military actions effectively ended the truce in practice, leading to accusations from Hamas that Israel had violated the agreement (Gaza ceasefire deal - the latest on the truce).

Analysis

The evidence suggests that Israel's military actions on March 18, 2025, were a significant breach of the ceasefire, as they involved extensive air strikes targeting Hamas positions in Gaza. The Israeli government characterized these strikes as necessary for national security, citing ongoing threats from Hamas (Gaza ceasefire deal - the latest on the truce). However, the timing and nature of these strikes indicate a clear departure from the terms of the ceasefire, which was designed to facilitate negotiations and reduce violence.

Both sides have historically accused each other of violating ceasefire agreements, which complicates the narrative. However, in this instance, the scale and immediacy of Israel's military response following the ceasefire's establishment strongly support the claim that Israel broke the ceasefire (Gaza ceasefire deal - the latest on the truce; 2023 Gaza war ceasefire). The credibility of the sources reporting these events, including major news outlets and official statements, lends weight to the assertion that Israel's actions constituted a breach of the ceasefire.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Israel broke the ceasefire" is substantiated by the evidence of military actions taken by Israel on March 18, 2025, which effectively ended the ceasefire agreement in practice. Despite Israel's justification for these actions, they represent a clear violation of the terms set forth in the ceasefire, supporting the conclusion that the claim is indeed true.

Fact Check: israel broke the ceasefire