MehMeerkat
Well-known member
Israel's military launched a series of airstrikes on southern Gaza, killing at least 42 Palestinians and wounding hundreds more in what both sides have described as a breach of the fragile ceasefire. The strikes came after Israeli troops were targeted by Hamas fighters in Rafah, which Israel said was an attack on its soldiers.
However, Hamas denied any involvement in the clashes, saying contact with the group had been cut off since March and accusing Israel of trying to provoke a response. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, claimed it was adhering to the ceasefire agreement and accused Israel of supporting armed groups operating in Gaza.
The US State Department earlier alleged that Hamas would imminently violate the ceasefire deal with Israel, claims which Hamas rejected as false. However, the group said Washington's allegations provided cover for Israel's occupation crimes and its continued support for armed groups in Gaza.
The airstrikes have heightened fears of a new escalation in the two-year conflict, with Palestinians expressing fear and panic over the sudden attack. Medical sources reported that five Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded in separate attacks on Gaza cities.
Israel's government has directed its military to take "strong action" against any ceasefire violations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding consultations with security heads before ordering strikes. The mood in Israel has shifted as a result of the clashes in Rafah, with some politicians calling for a return to military operations in Gaza.
Analysts say the fragile ceasefire is already under threat and that Hamas's claims of adherence to the agreement are unlikely to ease tensions. "This ceasefire, it's not the complete end of what we have witnessed over the last two years," said Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Hamas has arrived in Cairo to discuss implementation of the ceasefire agreement with Egyptian mediators and other factions. The group says it is committed to the terms of the deal but needs help and heavy machinery to locate and retrieve bodies trapped under rubble following Israeli strikes.
The Israeli military has identified the remains of two captives released by Hamas, which were handed over overnight in what Israel hopes will be a sign of progress towards returning all the captives. However, Hamas's armed wing says it is willing to return the remaining captive remains if field conditions are suitable and accuses Israel of trying to provoke a response.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange accusations and concerns over the ceasefire. The fragile agreement is already on shaky ground, with fears of a new escalation growing by the hour.
However, Hamas denied any involvement in the clashes, saying contact with the group had been cut off since March and accusing Israel of trying to provoke a response. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, claimed it was adhering to the ceasefire agreement and accused Israel of supporting armed groups operating in Gaza.
The US State Department earlier alleged that Hamas would imminently violate the ceasefire deal with Israel, claims which Hamas rejected as false. However, the group said Washington's allegations provided cover for Israel's occupation crimes and its continued support for armed groups in Gaza.
The airstrikes have heightened fears of a new escalation in the two-year conflict, with Palestinians expressing fear and panic over the sudden attack. Medical sources reported that five Palestinians were killed and dozens more wounded in separate attacks on Gaza cities.
Israel's government has directed its military to take "strong action" against any ceasefire violations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding consultations with security heads before ordering strikes. The mood in Israel has shifted as a result of the clashes in Rafah, with some politicians calling for a return to military operations in Gaza.
Analysts say the fragile ceasefire is already under threat and that Hamas's claims of adherence to the agreement are unlikely to ease tensions. "This ceasefire, it's not the complete end of what we have witnessed over the last two years," said Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Hamas has arrived in Cairo to discuss implementation of the ceasefire agreement with Egyptian mediators and other factions. The group says it is committed to the terms of the deal but needs help and heavy machinery to locate and retrieve bodies trapped under rubble following Israeli strikes.
The Israeli military has identified the remains of two captives released by Hamas, which were handed over overnight in what Israel hopes will be a sign of progress towards returning all the captives. However, Hamas's armed wing says it is willing to return the remaining captive remains if field conditions are suitable and accuses Israel of trying to provoke a response.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange accusations and concerns over the ceasefire. The fragile agreement is already on shaky ground, with fears of a new escalation growing by the hour.