Israel’s latest assault on Gaza is part of a fresh campaign to make Hamas “feel pain like they’ve never done before,” the military’s former top spokesperson said Tuesday.
The strikes that killed more than 400 people early Tuesday were the start of “a very different type of military campaign” responding to Hamas’ refusal to release the final 59 hostages, former Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Col. Johnathan Conricus told Fox News.
“If you don’t release hostages, there’s a price to pay in blood,” he said.
IDF spokesman Col. Johnathan Conricus issued the warning Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images
An Israeli soldier directs a tank near the border with the Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025, in southern Israel. Getty Images“Israel has signaled that it is going to take the battle to Hamas and make them feel pain like they’ve never done before.”
Conricus said time will tell how the war plays out under President Trump’s administration — even though the country now has access to new tools that will help it conduct “decisive warfare.”
While Israel remains firm in its plan to increase military strength in response to the cease-fire being stalled, officials with the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said more than 400 people were killed in the surprise strikes, including some top officials of the terror group.
“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office wrote in a statement.
Netanyahu’s office also noted, “Hamas repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all offers it received from the U.S. presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and from the mediators.”
Smoke billows during Israeli strikes west of Gaza City on March 18, 2025. AFP via Getty Images
The strikes killed more than 400 people early Tuesday. AFP via Getty ImagesThe IDF said it learned of Hamas’ preparations to launch new attacks on Israel as the group stocked up on weapons.
Israel and Hamas had agreed to a cease-fire deal in January, which allowed for the release of about three dozen Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The two countries have not been able to hammer out details of the second phase of the deal, which was supposed to include the release of the 59 remaining hostages held by Hamas.
It’s believed Hamas has 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
Israel leaders have said they won’t stop the fighting unless Hamas cedes power in Gaza.
Leading up to the new round of strikes, Netanyahu earlier this month cut off the entry of all food and aid deliveries into the territory to apply more pressure on Hamas.
With Post wires
