Gaza ceasefire faces new test as Israel launches series of strikes; 26 killed

At least 26 people were killed after Israeli planes launched a barrage of attacks in Gaza on Tuesday, following an alleged violation of the US-brokered ceasefire deal by the Hamas militant group.

 

Those killed included five people in a house hit in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. In the southern city of Khan Younis, five people, including two children and a woman, were killed in another strike. 

 

Dr Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al Shifa Hospital, said that at least three explosions were heard near the medical facility in northern Gaza.

 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli military to carry out “powerful” strikes in Gaza, after the militant group allegedly attacked the forces.

 

According to CNN, the Israeli troops stationed in the Rafah area came under rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire. The report claimed that Israel had informed Washington about its decision to retaliate.

 

Hamas condemned Israel’s “criminal bombardment” and said it would delay the handing over of the body of a hostage. The group denied responsibility for the attack on Israeli troops and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the truce.

 

‘Ceasefire still holding’

 

The two-year-long war, triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack, was halted earlier this month after a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump came into effect. As per the agreement, both sides also agreed to exchange the hostages and prisoners.

 

US Vice President J.D. Vance, who was part of a delegation of Trump administration officials who visited Israel last week, said that despite the latest flare-up, the ceasefire is holding.

 

“We expect the Israelis are going to respond, but I think the president's peace is going to hold despite that,” he told reporters on Capitol Hill.

 

 

 

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Middle East