Israeli Planes Strike Gaza Amid Ceasefire Tensions
Violations of US-brokered truce escalate with latest Israeli strikes on Palestinian territory.
JERUSALEM/CAIRO: In a significant escalation, Israeli planes launched strikes in Gaza on Tuesday following accusations by Israel that the militant group Hamas had violated a ceasefire agreement.
The latest violation tests the fragile deal brokered earlier this month by US President Donald Trump, marking an ongoing tension in a three-week-old ceasefire.The strikes resulted in at least nine fatalities, including four individuals killed in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City and five others who perished in Khan Younis when their vehicle was targeted.
Local health authorities confirmed these figures, highlighting the severity of the situation on the ground.According to an Israeli military official, Hamas had breached the ceasefire by launching an attack against Israeli forces within an area of the enclave under Israeli control.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement claiming that he had ordered 'powerful attacks' in response but did not specify the reasons for these actions.The US-backed ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, aimed to end two years of war triggered by Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
This conflict has caused significant devastation across the narrow coastal strip.Both parties have accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms.
Despite these tensions, US Vice President JD Vance emphasized that 'the ceasefire is holding.' However, he acknowledged that minor skirmishes may still occur.
The latest strike comes after reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.The Israeli military did not comment on the reported exchange, but Hamas denied any involvement in the attack targeting their forces.
Tensions have been further heightened by recent events, including a 'targeted strike' on Saturday against an individual in central Gaza accused of planning to attack Israeli troops.NETANYAHU ACCUSES HAMAS OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONEarlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement by mishandling the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, an Israeli killed during the October 7, 2023, attack.
Despite this accusation, Hamas' armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, postponed the planned handover of a missing hostage's body, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire by Israel.This issue of returning remains has become one of the major sticking points in the ceasefire negotiations.
According to the agreement, Hamas is responsible for releasing all living hostages and handing over the remains of dead ones.
However, the process is complex due to the ruins of Gaza, where many bodies are believed to be located in tunnels beneath the territory.The search for missing bodies intensified with the arrival of heavy machinery from Egypt, as Israeli authorities maintain that Hamas has access to most of the remains.
The ongoing efforts involve digging near suspected tunnel locations within Khan Younis and Nuseirat, accompanied by armed Hamas fighters.Gaza health authorities estimate a total of 68,000 individuals confirmed dead in Israeli strikes, with thousands more reported missing.
The conflict began after Hamas-led forces invaded southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and leading to the abduction of 251 hostages.
This marked the start of the war that has left significant devastation across both territories involved.
The latest violation tests the fragile deal brokered earlier this month by US President Donald Trump, marking an ongoing tension in a three-week-old ceasefire.The strikes resulted in at least nine fatalities, including four individuals killed in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City and five others who perished in Khan Younis when their vehicle was targeted.
Local health authorities confirmed these figures, highlighting the severity of the situation on the ground.According to an Israeli military official, Hamas had breached the ceasefire by launching an attack against Israeli forces within an area of the enclave under Israeli control.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement claiming that he had ordered 'powerful attacks' in response but did not specify the reasons for these actions.The US-backed ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, aimed to end two years of war triggered by Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
This conflict has caused significant devastation across the narrow coastal strip.Both parties have accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms.
Despite these tensions, US Vice President JD Vance emphasized that 'the ceasefire is holding.' However, he acknowledged that minor skirmishes may still occur.
The latest strike comes after reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.The Israeli military did not comment on the reported exchange, but Hamas denied any involvement in the attack targeting their forces.
Tensions have been further heightened by recent events, including a 'targeted strike' on Saturday against an individual in central Gaza accused of planning to attack Israeli troops.NETANYAHU ACCUSES HAMAS OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONEarlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement by mishandling the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, an Israeli killed during the October 7, 2023, attack.
Despite this accusation, Hamas' armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, postponed the planned handover of a missing hostage's body, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire by Israel.This issue of returning remains has become one of the major sticking points in the ceasefire negotiations.
According to the agreement, Hamas is responsible for releasing all living hostages and handing over the remains of dead ones.
However, the process is complex due to the ruins of Gaza, where many bodies are believed to be located in tunnels beneath the territory.The search for missing bodies intensified with the arrival of heavy machinery from Egypt, as Israeli authorities maintain that Hamas has access to most of the remains.
The ongoing efforts involve digging near suspected tunnel locations within Khan Younis and Nuseirat, accompanied by armed Hamas fighters.Gaza health authorities estimate a total of 68,000 individuals confirmed dead in Israeli strikes, with thousands more reported missing.
The conflict began after Hamas-led forces invaded southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and leading to the abduction of 251 hostages.
This marked the start of the war that has left significant devastation across both territories involved.
