Israeli airstrikes targeted Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, following accusations from Israel against Hamas for breaching a ceasefire agreement in the region. The fatalities included individuals in various locations, such as a house in the Bureij refugee camp, a building in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, and a car in Khan Younis. Witnesses reported ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, with additional strikes observed in Gaza City.
Israeli military actions persisted, with reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Rafah. However, Hamas denied responsibility for the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not specify the rationale behind the airstrikes, but an Israeli military official cited Hamas’s breach of the ceasefire by targeting Israeli forces.
President Donald Trump, aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, reassured that the U.S.-backed ceasefire remained secure amid the escalating tensions. Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by mishandling the remains of hostages being handed over to Israel.
The ceasefire agreement, facilitated by the U.S., involved Hamas releasing living hostages in exchange for Palestinian convicts and detainees while Israel withdrew troops and ceased offensive operations. Disputes arose over the handover of deceased hostages’ remains, particularly regarding the identification and recovery process.
Efforts to locate and retrieve bodies faced challenges due to the extensive destruction in Gaza, hampering the timely resolution of the issue. Israeli authorities accused Hamas of fabricating efforts to locate bodies, while Hamas emphasized its commitment to fulfilling the ceasefire terms. Calls for decisive action against Hamas emerged within the Israeli government, contingent upon approval from Washington, the ceasefire mediator.
Search operations intensified with the aid of heavy machinery brought in from Egypt, focusing on areas like Khan Younis and Nuseirat. Bulldozers were deployed to assist in locating bodies, believed to be hidden in tunnels beneath Gaza. The search for missing individuals continued amid the rubble left by previous Israeli strikes in the region.
The conflict’s toll on Gaza was evident, with thousands confirmed dead and many more missing. Explosions persisted in Gaza as Israeli forces conducted demolitions in remaining deployed areas. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas tunnels, a significant aspect of the continued military operations in the region.