The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. More than 51,300 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry.

Gaza rescue teams and medics said Israeli air strikes killed at least 55 people on Thursday, as the military threatened an even larger offensive if hostages were not freed soon. Israel resumed its military assault in the Gaza Strip on March 18,

France, Germany and Britain meanwhile said Israel's seven-week blockade on all imports to Gaza was "intolerable."