The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it had recommenced enforcing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, despite reports from health officials in the region indicating that Israeli airstrikes had resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 104 individuals overnight. Both sides engaged in accusations of violating the truce, with Israel pointing fingers at Hamas for initiating an attack that led to the death of an Israeli soldier.
Israel stated that it conducted the airstrikes late on Tuesday in response to Palestinian militants allegedly killing a soldier, citing it as a direct breach of the ceasefire terms. While affirming its commitment to the agreement, the military emphasized its readiness to respond decisively to any violations.
According to health authorities in Gaza, the airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 104 people, including casualties in various locations such as the Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, and Khan Younis. The death of the Israeli soldier was confirmed by the Israeli military, attributing the breach of the ceasefire to Hamas’s attack on Israeli forces positioned within the designated deployment boundary known as the “yellow line”.
The ceasefire, mediated by the United States and effective from October 10, concluded two years of conflict that commenced with Hamas-led assaults on Israel on October 7, 2023. Despite Israeli strikes in Gaza, US President Donald Trump asserted that the ceasefire remained intact, justifying Israeli retaliation following the reported attack on their soldier.
Trump emphasized the significance of upholding the ceasefire, highlighting the role of Hamas in the peace process and urging the group to adhere to the terms. Hamas, however, denied involvement in the attack in Rafah, affirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement, which included the release of hostages and prisoners by both parties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that remains recently turned over by Hamas belonged to an Israeli victim of the October 7 attack. The Israeli military alleged that Hamas staged the recovery of remains to manipulate the perception of efforts to locate bodies, backed by a video showing individuals placing a bag at a site. The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned the staged recovery, stressing the importance of upholding the agreement and maintaining transparency.
In response to the incident, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued an order prohibiting Red Cross officials from visiting imprisoned terrorists in Israel, amidst escalating tensions surrounding the ceasefire terms.