More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours
March 18, 2025, 9:37 am

More than 350 killed in Gaza in a few hours

غزة

In the early hours of Tuesday, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, following the end of a ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since January 19. These operations resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of civilians, with medical sources reporting that the death toll has reached 356 so far.

The spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, indicated that the majority of the victims are children, women, and the elderly, confirming that more than 220 dead have been transferred to hospitals. Reports indicated that Israel carried out over 200 airstrikes and intense artillery shelling targeting areas in the northern and central parts of the strip, while ambulance teams faced difficulties in reaching targeted areas due to the intensity of the attacks.

In this context, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant explained that Israeli forces have returned to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and its threats against Israeli soldiers. He affirmed that the airstrikes will continue until all captives are returned and the desired military objectives are achieved.

In related news, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stated that his country will continue its operations until the hostages are released, urging the international community to take Israel's commitment regarding this matter seriously.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official announced that the extensive attack will continue "as long as necessary," as a series of preemptive strikes were launched against military leaders, key officials, and Hamas infrastructure.

For its part, Hamas held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government responsible for the consequences of the airstrikes. The movement considered that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement and exposed the Israeli hostages in Gaza to an uncertain fate.

This bloody escalation follows the failure of recent negotiations held between mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States with Hamas and Israel in Doha and Cairo, which did not result in an extension of the ceasefire agreement or advancement to its next phase.

It is worth noting that the war that began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli settlements and military bases, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 48,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, as well as the repeated displacement of hundreds of thousands and increased levels of hunger due to the blockade on aid entering through the Rafah crossing.

Businessman from Sweida... Al-Qudmani Rejects Ministerial Position in Damascus Civilian victims in Israeli bombardment on Daraa

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”