Update, March 22 2025:

On March 21, Israeli forces demolished the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Gaza’s only specialized cancer treatment center. The hospital, built with Turkish support, had long served as the primary oncology facility in the Strip and doubled as a medical teaching institution. Already rendered non-operational due to fuel shortages earlier in the war, the hospital was reportedly still sheltering patients and displaced civilians.

Israel justified the strike by claiming Hamas operatives were using the site—a claim strongly rejected by humanitarian observers and Turkish officials. The destruction marks a further collapse of Gaza’s health system, already on life support after months of siege. Turkish authorities condemned the attack, calling it part of a deliberate strategy to target civilian infrastructure, and rights groups are warning that this may constitute a war crime.

Update, March 20, 2025:
After three consecutive nights of Israeli airstrikes that killed over 500 Palestinians, including dozens just last night, Hamas launched three rockets from southern Gaza toward central Israel.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that one was intercepted by the Iron Dome while the others landed in open areas with no casualties.

This marks the first military response from Hamas since the collapse of the ceasefire, following nearly a week of restraint amid escalating Israeli attacks. The rocket fire appears to be a limited retaliation and has not yet signaled a full return to hostilities.

Original report: As of 12:00 March 20, 2025, Hamas has not fired a single retaliatory rocket or conducted any offensive military operations, despite three consecutive nights of Israeli bombardment across the Gaza Strip and a newly launched ground invasion. The group maintains it is still committed to the January ceasefire framework, even as the Israeli military continues large-scale strikes that have killed hundreds.

Israeli air raids since March 17 have killed at least 436 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, including 183 children and 94 women. Strikes have hit apartment blocks, UN facilities, and refugee camps, with reports confirming the death of a UN staff member inside a UN guesthouse. A renewed ground operation has also been launched in the Netzarim corridor, a strategic strip bisecting Gaza from north to south.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, a Hamas spokesperson reiterated that the group “has not closed the door to negotiations” and continues to work with Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to move forward with the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes the release of remaining Israeli hostages and partial Israeli withdrawal.

The agreement—first enacted on January 19—was meant to proceed in stages, with Phase 2 scheduled to begin by March 2. Hamas has consistently indicated its readiness to comply. However, Israel introduced new demands not included in the original deal, leading to stalled negotiations. On March 17, Israel broke the truce unilaterally, resuming bombings with no confirmed violation by Hamas.

International concern is mounting. The United Nations has described the situation as a “severe humanitarian crisis,” with critical aid deliveries halted and displacement increasing. French President Emmanuel Macron called the Israeli bombing campaign “a catastrophic mistake”, while major human rights organizations have accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law by attacking densely populated civilian zones.

Inside Israel, criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also growing. The families of Israeli hostages have spoken out forcefully against the renewed bombing campaign. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement declaring, “Our greatest fear came true. The government chose to give up on the hostages.” At least one hostage, Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, was confirmed to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike.

But so far, there is no indication Hamas has resumed hostilities. The group remains in contact with international mediators and appears to be holding to the ceasefire in both letter and spirit.

What is unfolding now is not mutual warfare—it is asymmetric devastation. Israel has broken the ceasefire and escalated its assault. Hamas has not.

The Crustian Daily will continue to document developments and verify all claims in real-time, as the imbalance between military aggression and diplomatic restraint grows ever more stark.