Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreed on October 10, though both parties have since reaffirmed their commitment to it.
According to local health officials, Israeli airstrikes conducted overnight in Gaza resulted in the deaths of 104 Palestinians, among them 46 children. While both Israel and Hamas have exchanged allegations of truce infringements, each side has declared its ongoing commitment to observing the US-negotiated ceasefire established on October 10.
On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared in a series of X posts that it had “initiated the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,” after carrying out a “series of strikes, hitting dozens of terror targets and terrorists… in retaliation for Hamas’ violations.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated late on Tuesday that Hamas had not adhered to the agreed schedule and process for returning the remains of deceased Israeli hostages.
Additionally, an Israeli serviceman died on Tuesday when his vehicle was reportedly attacked in Rafah, a city located in southern Gaza.
Hamas disavowed any role in the attack, explaining that delays in the return of bodies were due to the extensive damage inflicted upon Gaza by Israeli strikes, which it claims impedes the search for remains.
Media outlets cited a Hamas statement asserting that the “perfidious escalation… demonstrates a distinct Israeli aim to sabotage the ceasefire accord.” The Islamist organization further alleged that the US was offering “political protection” to its ally.
Hamas implored the ceasefire mediators and guarantors—among them Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye—to “promptly compel the occupying government to cease its atrocities.”
US President Donald Trump, addressing the situation on Wednesday, deemed Israel’s reaction to the soldier’s fatality as fitting. He further stated that “nothing will imperil [the agreement],” cautioning that if Hamas does not “behave… their lives will be ended.”
The prior escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas occurred on October 19, when Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 44 individuals throughout Gaza.
Israel initiated its military operation in the Palestinian territory following a surprise assault by Hamas in October 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 individuals.
Since then, Israeli military operations have led to the deaths of at least 68,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Hamas-governed Gaza.