Israel carried out renewed strikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, less than three weeks after President Trump brokered a ceasefire with the militant group Hamas.
Gaza’s civil defense agency reported initial casualties in Gaza City and the southern city of Khan Younis.
The flare-up came amid accusations by both sides of violating the cease-fire that began Oct. 10. “Following security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed the military to immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” the prime minister’s office said in an online statement.
Israel said the decision followed Hamas’ alleged attempt to stage the return of partial remains of a hostage whose body was to be handed over under the deal. The military released drone footage it said showed Hamas operatives burying a bag with remains so the International Committee of the Red Cross could “find” them. Netanyahu called it a “clear violation” of the U.S.-negotiated ceasefire.
Hamas called the allegation “baseless and aimed at misleading public opinion,” accusing Israel of seeking “false pretexts” to escalate in violation of the agreement.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas would “pay a heavy price” for attacks on Israeli troops and for failing to return deceased hostages.
On Oct. 19, Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Gaza after two Israeli soldiers were killed in Rafah. After those strikes, Trump said the cease-fire remained in effect. Hamas said it had “no connection” to the Rafah incident and urged mediators to press Israel to halt what it called violations of the deal.
