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Israel Launches Airstrikes in Gaza After Hamas Fire on Troops

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Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Gaza on Sunday, marking a significant test of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending over two years of conflict. The Israeli military reported that its troops were attacked by Hamas militants using a rocket-propelled grenade, prompting a swift response involving airstrikes and artillery.

Following consultations with Israel’s security leadership, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered military actions against any violations of the ceasefire, although he refrained from making threats of a return to war. According to military sources, the clashes occurred in areas around the southern city of Rafah, which are designated as Israeli-controlled under the agreed ceasefire lines, but no injuries were reported from these incidents.

Casualties and Ongoing Tensions

The situation escalated with Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of at least six Palestinians in central Gaza, according to health officials. The strikes targeted a makeshift coffeehouse in Zawaida, part of the Hamas-run government, and another strike near the Al-Ahly soccer club in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least two individuals and wounded eight others. A third strike in Khan Younis resulted in one additional fatality.

The Israeli military confirmed three incidents on Sunday, highlighting the complexity of the ongoing conflict. In the backdrop of these military actions, Hamas accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations while denying any involvement in the clashes reported in Rafah. Despite the tensions, Hamas has initiated talks regarding the second phase of ceasefire negotiations.

Hostages and Humanitarian Concerns

Meanwhile, Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight. The deceased were identified as Ronen Engel, a father from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri. Both were believed to have been killed during a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which ignited the current conflict. Engel’s wife and two of his children were released during a ceasefire in November 2023.

Hamas has returned the remains of 12 hostages in recent days, with their armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announcing the discovery of another body, which they will return “if circumstances in the field” allow. Israel has stated that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, contingent on Hamas fulfilling its responsibility to return all 28 deceased hostages.

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the Israeli military has released 150 bodies of Palestinians, including 15 on Sunday. However, only 25 of these bodies have been identified, with many in a state of decomposition, complicating the identification process.

The conflict has taken a severe toll, with more than 68,000 Palestinians reported dead, a figure that includes both civilians and combatants, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry. This data is generally considered reliable by United Nations agencies, although Israel disputes these figures without providing its own death toll.

As discussions continue regarding the next phases of the ceasefire, including disarming Hamas and the potential establishment of an internationally backed authority to govern Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. The Rafah crossing, crucial for medical treatment and travel, has been closed since May 2024, limiting access for many Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry has announced new procedures for those wishing to enter or exit Gaza via the Rafah crossing, indicating ongoing efforts to manage the situation amidst the conflict.

This latest escalation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the complex dynamics at play as both sides navigate the path toward a potential resolution.

Our Editorial team doesn’t just report the news—we live it. Backed by years of frontline experience, we hunt down the facts, verify them to the letter, and deliver the stories that shape our world. Fueled by integrity and a keen eye for nuance, we tackle politics, culture, and technology with incisive analysis. When the headlines change by the minute, you can count on us to cut through the noise and serve you clarity on a silver platter.

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