Hamas launched rockets at Tel Aviv on Thursday, marking its first military response to Israel’s resumption of air and ground operations in Gaza, which has resulted in a rising civilian death toll. The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, stated that the rocket attack was in retaliation for Israel’s “massacres” of civilians in Gaza.

The Israeli military confirmed intercepting one projectile, while two others landed in uninhabited areas. Meanwhile, Israel announced the closure of Gaza’s main north-south route, Salaheddin Road, as it expanded its ground operations. Army spokesman Avichay Adraee stated that the move was part of efforts to “expand the security zone” between northern and southern Gaza.

The renewed violence has shattered the relative calm that had prevailed since a ceasefire took effect on January 19, 2025. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that 504 people, including more than 190 children, have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive earlier this week.

At the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, grieving families mourned their loved ones, with some appealing for an end to the violence. “We want a ceasefire! We are defenceless Palestinian people,” said Mohammed Hussein, a bereaved family member, in an emotional plea to the international community.

The Israeli army has banned traffic on Salaheddin Road, urging residents to use the Al-Rashid coastal road for travel between northern and southern Gaza. However, it remains unclear whether movement from south to north is permitted. An official from Gaza’s Hamas-run interior ministry reported that Israeli tanks had deployed at Netzarim Junction, a key crossing point on Salaheddin Road, following the withdrawal of American private security contractors earlier this week.

The ceasefire, which had been brokered in January, expired earlier this month amid deadlock over its extension. Israel had demanded the return of all remaining hostages before discussing a lasting ceasefire, a condition rejected by Hamas as an attempt to renegotiate the original agreement.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), condemned the ongoing violence, describing it as “an endless unleashing of the most inhumane ordeals” on Gaza’s population. “Under our daily watch, people in Gaza are again & again going through their worst nightmare,” he wrote on X.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also weighed in, calling Israel’s strikes a “catastrophic crime” and holding the United States partly responsible.

The conflict, which began with Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to Israeli figures, the initial Hamas attack killed 1,218 people, mostly civilians. In Gaza, the health ministry reported an overall death toll of over 48,570 as of Monday, before the latest round of intense strikes resumed.

The Congress on Thursday criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for their handling of the farmers’ protest at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, accusing them of “backstabbing” the farmers.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “AAP showed its true character yesterday. We should not forget that Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi government was the first state government to pass the three black farm laws. It is unbelievable that a party born out of a movement would resort to ending the farmers’ movement in this manner. Punjab will definitely take revenge for this backstabbing.”

Her remarks came after Punjab Police removed protesting farmers from the border and detained several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher.

Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, echoed similar sentiments, calling AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “two sides of the same coin.” He alleged that the crackdown on farmers was politically motivated to ensure the victory of AAP’s candidate in the Ludhiana West bye-election, which could pave the way for Arvind Kejriwal to become a Rajya Sabha member.

“This was expected from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. Why did they betray the farmers? On one hand, they called the farmers for a meeting, and then they detained them. BJP and AAP are two sides of the same coin. The Haryana government has also started evacuating the borders. They want to ensure that their candidate wins the Ludhiana West bye-election so that Kejriwal can enter the Rajya Sabha,” Bajwa said.

The farmers, united under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Union, had been protesting at the Shambhu border, demanding various concessions from the government. On Wednesday, Punjab Police dismantled temporary structures at the protest site and detained several farmer leaders, sparking outrage among the farming community.

In response to the crackdown, farmers staged a protest march to the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Karnal on Thursday.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the government’s actions, stating that the borders needed to be reopened for the sake of Punjab’s economy and youth. He urged farmers to protest in Delhi or elsewhere, as their demands are directed at the Central government.

“The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black farm laws. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government. It has been more than a year, and the Shambhu and Khanauri borders are closed. Traders and the youth of Punjab are very upset. When traders can do business, the youth will get employment and stay away from drugs,” Cheema told ANI.

“Today’s action has been taken because we want the youth of Punjab to get employment. We want to open Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The demands of the farmers are against the Central government, and they should stage a protest in Delhi or somewhere else but should not block the roads of Punjab,” he added.

The curfew imposed in several areas of Nagpur has been lifted or relaxed, three days after violent clashes rocked the city, said the officials on Thursday, March 20.

The unrest erupted on Monday night when mobs went on a rampage following rumours that a ‘chadar’ (cloth) with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The protests were demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

In response to the violence, curfews were imposed in multiple police station areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar, and Kapil Nagar.

On Thursday, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal ordered the lifting of the curfew in Nandanvan and Kapil Nagar areas starting at 2 p.m. Additionally, the curfew was relaxed in Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, and Imambada from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow residents to purchase essential items.

Meanwhile, the cybercrime police have taken action against individuals accused of spreading misinformation and inciting violence during the unrest. Officials confirmed that six people have been booked on charges of sedition and spreading false information on social media. These individuals are among 50 accused named in four First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in connection with Monday’s violence.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Lohit Matani stated that the cybercrime department has requested information from social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, regarding 230 profiles suspected of spreading misinformation. The department has also sought to block these accounts to prevent further escalation of tensions.

The partial lifting of the curfew marks a step toward normalcy in Nagpur, but authorities remain vigilant to ensure peace and order in the city. Investigations into the violence and the role of social media in fueling the unrest are ongoing.