Israel launches retaliatory strikes in Gaza after saying Hamas targeted its forces, killing 2 IDF soldiers
The fragile truce in Gaza The country faced its first major test on Sunday after Israel claimed Hamas had violated the ceasefire and responded with air and artillery strikes.
An Israeli security official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement, that the transfer of aid to Gaza was being halted “until further notice.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military said it had struck several targets in the Gaza Strip using aircraft and artillery, after accusing Hamas of firing on Israeli soldiers. Military officials later said two soldiers were killed.
An Israeli military official told CBS News that Hamas targeted its soldiers with a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire.
“Both incidents occurred in an area controlled by Israel, east of the yellow line,” the official said. “This is a bold violation of the ceasefire.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Israeli security officials and his office said in a statement that he had ordered the army to take “strong action” against what he called “terrorist targets.” He did not threaten to return to war.
Hamas said it was not involved in any of the clashes reported earlier in Rafah, southern Gaza.
“We reaffirm our full commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed, first and foremost a ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip,” the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement. “We are not aware of any incidents or clashes taking place in the Rafah region, as these are red zones under occupation control, and contacts with our remaining groups there have been cut off since the resumption of war in March this year.”
Hospital sources in Gaza told CBS News that at least 38 people have been killed in the territory since Sunday morning.
The Israeli military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets.
Later on Sunday, the Israeli military said that “in accordance with directives from the political level” it had begun “strengthening the ceasefire following its violation by the terrorist organization Hamas.”
“The Israeli military will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement and will respond forcefully to any violations of the agreement,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
The strikes took place while Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnightand the Palestinian group said talks aimed at launching the second phase of ceasefire negotiations had begun.
Meanwhile, Israel has threatened to keep the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed “until further notice”. The statement from Netanyahu’s office said the reopening of Rafah will depend on how Hamas fulfills its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to return the remains of all deceased hostages. The bodies of 16 hostages, including two foreign nationals, are still in Gaza, according to Israeli media.
At the same time, the US State Department warned of having received “credible reports” indicating that Hamas could be planning an attack against “Palestinian civilians” in the Gaza Strip.
The State Department provided no details on when or where the possible attack would take place, saying only that it “would constitute a direct and serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress made through mediation efforts.”
On Sunday, Hamas rejected the claims, calling them “false allegations.” The group accuses Israel of supporting armed groups operating in areas controlled by Israel. Hamas urged the US administration to pressure Israel to stop supporting the gangs and “provide them with safe haven”.
Israel and Gaza implemented the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan last week, with the entry into force of a ceasefire in Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli troops to a predetermined line. Hamas has since released 20 hostages alive and the remains of 12 others. Meanwhile, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Among the released Palestinians are 250 people serving life sentences and approximately 1,700 others who have been arrested and detained without charge since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
Israel released 150 Palestinian bodies into Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has neither identified the bodies nor indicated how they died.
The next steps in the ceasefire are expected to focus on the disarmament of Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas it controls in Gaza, and the future governance of the devastated territory.
