Israel's Military Launches Air Strikes on Southern Gaza as US-Brokered Ceasefire is Threatened

Strategic Insights -

Panic and fear dominated the scene in Gaza as Israel's military launched a wave of air strikes on southern parts of the war-devastated enclave, killing at least 15 Palestinians and wounding an unspecified number, just hours after it struck the city of Rafah. The fragile US-brokered ceasefire, intended to end the two-year war, came under threat as Hamas fighters claimed their troops had come under fire from Israeli soldiers in the area. However, Hamas's armed wing said it is adhering to the ceasefire agreement, despite US claims that it would imminently violate the deal.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel's military has launched a "massive and extensive wave" of air strikes on dozens of targets in southern Gaza, killing at least 15 Palestinians and wounding an unspecified number.
  • The Israeli army said it responded with strikes and artillery fire after its troops were targeted by Hamas fighters in the Rafah area, despite Hamas's armed wing claiming no knowledge of incidents or clashes taking place in the area.
  • Hamas rejects US claims that it would imminently violate the ceasefire agreement, which the group says is a "false and misleading" claim based on Israeli propaganda.
  • Israel has identified the remains of two captives released by Hamas overnight, while talks to launch the second phase of ceasefire negotiations have begun.
  • The ceasefire plan brokered by US President Donald Trump includes disarming Hamas and the establishment of an internationally backed authority to administer the Gaza Strip.
  • Israel will suspend the delivery of aid into Gaza until further notice, an Israeli security official told the Associated Press.
  • Hamas has repeatedly said it has returned all the bodies it was able to recover, but needs help and heavy machinery to locate and retrieve bodies trapped under the rubble following Israeli strikes.

Statistics:

  • At least 15 Palestinians have been killed in the air strikes since morning.
  • 20+ air strikes were launched by Israel in the south.
  • 5 Palestinians were killed and an unspecified number wounded in an Israeli attack on az-Zawayda in central Gaza.
  • 3 Palestinians were killed and others wounded in an Israeli attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp.
  • 2 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air attack in northern Gaza.
  • Israel has identified the remains of 2 captives released by Hamas overnight.

Sources:

  • The Israeli army
  • Gaza's Civil Defence agency
  • Al Jazeera
  • Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud
  • Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh
  • The US State Department
  • Hamas statement