Israel has conducted air strikes in Gaza, citing violations of a ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. Defending the military actions, Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of attacking Israeli soldiers and failing to comply with terms regarding the return of deceased hostages. Hamas has denied involvement in the alleged attack and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire.
Reports from first responders indicate that at least nine Palestinians were killed during a series of strikes across Gaza. Vice-President JD Vance has remarked that despite these occurrences, he believes the ceasefire remains intact. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also confirmed the authorization of military actions but did not specify details.
Katz described Hamas’s actions as crossing a critical boundary, warning of significant repercussions for the group’s behavior. An Israeli military source stated that the reported attack on soldiers occurred in a designated area within Gaza, while Palestinian outlets reported artillery fire from Israeli forces in response.
The strikes reportedly resulted in casualties, including four fatalities in the Bombing of a residential structure in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, among them three women. Further attacks were noted in Khan Younis.
On a separate note, Israeli authorities expressed concerns over a coffin containing remains allegedly returned by Hamas that did not belong to one of the missing hostages. Netanyahu’s office labeled this incident as a breach of the ceasefire terms.
Hamas responded with allegations of Israel fabricating claims and emphasizing its adherence to the ceasefire. The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned what it termed a “fake recovery” of remains, asserting their role as neutral intermediaries was compromised.
The ongoing ceasefire, part of a broader peace plan, was intended to facilitate the return of hostages, both living and deceased, following a violent conflict that resulted in thousands of casualties. While Hamas’s negotiators acknowledge challenges, the Israeli government maintains that Hamas holds knowledge of the locations of all deceased individuals.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgjdy5eevn2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss