Tel Aviv: Israeli airstrikes killed nine people in Gaza after Hamas allegedly violated a US-brokered ceasefire, CNN reported.
The strikes followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to the military to “immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” according to a statement from his office. Israel reportedly informed the United States before launching the operation.
A military official told CNN that Hamas militants attacked Israeli forces east of the “yellow line,” which separates Israeli-occupied parts of Gaza from the rest of the enclave. Troops stationed near Rafah reportedly came under rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and sniper fire.
Following the assault, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for targeting Israeli soldiers, saying, “Israel will respond with great force.”
Soon after his remarks, Gaza Civil Defence said an Israeli airstrike hit the Al-Sabra neighbourhood in Gaza City, killing at least three women and a man. Another strike in Khan Younis killed five people, including two children and a woman.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of Al Shifa Hospital, reported hearing at least three explosions near the facility in northern Gaza.
Israel also accused Hamas of misidentifying the remains of a recently returned captive, saying they belonged to a hostage whose body was recovered two years ago. Netanyahu said he was considering next steps after receiving the remains, according to Al Jazeera.
In response, Hamas condemned what it called a “criminal bombardment” by Israel, denying responsibility for the alleged attack on Israeli troops and reaffirming its commitment to the truce.
Since the conflict began in October 2023, at least 68,527 people have been killed and 170,395 wounded in Gaza. In Israel, 1,139 people died and more than 250 were taken captive during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks, Al Jazeera reported.
