Israeli Airstrikes Target Gaza, Testing US-Brokered Ceasefire

Israeli military aircraft struck Gaza on Tuesday, resulting in at least eight fatalities, as tensions escalated over alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas. This action challenges the fragile ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10, 2023, and was facilitated by the Trump administration. Casualties included three individuals in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood and five others in Khan Younis, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli military did not comment immediately on the strikes, which marked a significant escalation in violence after a three-week period of relative calm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously ordered “powerful attacks,” though the statement did not specify the reasons. An Israeli military official indicated that Hamas had breached the ceasefire by attacking Israeli forces in an area under Israeli control.

“This is yet another blatant violation of the ceasefire,” the official stated. Both sides have been exchanging accusations of ceasefire violations since the agreement took effect.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who recently visited Israel, asserted that despite the latest incidents, “the ceasefire is holding.” He acknowledged the possibility of minor skirmishes while emphasizing the need for a lasting peace. Reports on Tuesday indicated gunfire exchanges between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in southern Gaza’s Rafah, though the military did not provide comments on these allegations.

Hamas has denied any responsibility for the reported attack on Israeli troops in Rafah, reiterating its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. The ongoing tensions have led to accusations from Netanyahu that Hamas violated the terms of the deal by improperly handling the remains of hostages.

On Monday, Hamas returned the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, who was killed during the attacks on October 7, 2023, but Netanyahu claimed these remains had already been partially recovered by Israeli troops.

Despite earlier promises, Hamas has postponed the handover of another body of a missing hostage, citing Israel’s alleged violations. The ceasefire allows for the release of living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees, while Israel has scaled back military operations.

The search for the remains of deceased hostages has intensified, with heavy machinery arriving from Egypt to assist in the recovery. Reports indicate that excavations are taking place in Khan Younis, where Hamas fighters are working alongside Egyptian teams to locate bodies buried within a network of tunnels.

As of now, Gaza health authorities report that approximately 68,000 individuals have been confirmed dead due to the ongoing conflict, with thousands more unaccounted for. The Israeli military initiated hostilities in response to an attack from Hamas fighters, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages.

The situation in Gaza remains precarious as the international community watches closely, with the ceasefire and the complex negotiations surrounding it being a focal point of international diplomatic efforts.