The IDF has attacked Hamas military installations and middle-ranking commanders.

The targets of a series of strikes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Gaza Strip were military infrastructure facilities of the Palestinian Hamas movement, its mid-level commanders and officials of the political wing. This was announced on Tuesday, March 18, by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.

"An Israeli official stated that in recent days, during the cease—fire, Hamas was preparing to launch new attacks against Israel and took steps to rearm," the journalist wrote on his Facebook page.

Also, according to him, the IDF kept the plan in the strictest secrecy and within a relatively narrow circle of people in order to catch Hamas by surprise.

Giving up Gaza: Hamas fears losing influence in the exclave

Why the sector is at risk of renewed fighting

On March 18, the IDF announced the resumption of military operations against the Palestinian radical movement Hamas in Gaza. As reported by Reuters, Israeli airstrikes damaged three houses in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza: a building in Gaza City and targets in Khan Yunis and Rafah. Later, journalist Ravid said that Israel had warned the administration of US President Donald Trump in advance about the resumption of attacks on Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, 199 people were killed in the strike.