Israeli warplanes launched air strikes across Gaza on Tuesday after Israel accused Hamas of violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began earlier this month.
The recent bombardments killed at least 26 Palestinians, including civilians in Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City’s Sabra district, and Khan Younis. The strikes continued into early Wednesday amid escalating tensions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised “powerful and immediate” military action following what Israeli officials described as attacks by Hamas militants against Israeli troops in areas controlled by Israel within Gaza. A military spokesperson called Hamas’s actions “yet another blatant violation of the ceasefire.”
The ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect on October 10, pausing a conflict sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 offensive that resulted in significant casualties and hostage-taking on both sides. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire breaches since the truce began.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Israel recently and said the ceasefire is largely holding despite occasional skirmishes. He acknowledged attacks on Israeli soldiers from within Gaza but expressed hope that the peace would endure.
Central to the renewed tensions is the issue of hostage remains. Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the truce by returning the remains of a hostage who had already been partially recovered by Israeli forces. Hamas’s military wing later postponed another planned handover, blaming Israeli ceasefire violations, but said it had recovered two more hostages’ bodies from tunnels beneath Gaza.
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas released all surviving hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Israel withdrew forces and halted its offensive. Recovery efforts for missing hostages’ remains have intensified with the help of Egyptian teams using heavy machinery in Gaza, digging around extensive tunnel systems where bodies are believed to be hidden.
The conflict has been devastating: Gaza health authorities say approximately 68,000 Palestinians have died, with thousands more missing since October 2023, while Israel suffered over 1,200 deaths and hundreds abducted in Hamas’s initial assault. The fragile ceasefire and disagreements over hostages continue to challenge efforts for lasting peace.