In brief
In a significant escalation of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel launched air strikes in Gaza in retaliation for alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas. Israeli officials claim that Hamas attacked their soldiers, prompting a military response that resulted in multiple casualties. Despite the violence, U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested the ceasefire is still holding, although it remains fragile. The situation continues to develop as both sides exchange accusations over the violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel has carried out air strikes in Gaza, in response to what Israeli officials said were violations of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of attacking Israeli soldiers in Gaza on Tuesday, and breaching the terms on returning the bodies of deceased hostages.
The Palestinian armed group claimed it had no connection to the attack and insisted it was committed to the ceasefire deal.
First responders in Gaza said at least nine Palestinians were killed in a wave of Israeli strikes across the territory on Tuesday evening.
Despite the flare-up, US Vice-President JD Vance said he believed the ceasefire was holding.
A brief statement put out by Prime Minister Netanyahu's office on Tuesday evening said he had ordered forceful strikes by the military but did not specify his reasons.
However, Defence Minister Katz said Hamas had crossed a bright red line by launching an attack on Israeli soldiers in Gaza on Tuesday.
Hamas will pay many times over for attacking the soldiers and for violating the agreement to return the fallen hostages, he warned.
An Israeli military official said the attack took place east of the Yellow Line, which demarcates Israeli-controlled territory inside Gaza under the ceasefire deal.
Israeli media reported that troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah had come under anti-tank missile and sniper fire on Tuesday afternoon, while Palestinian media reported Israeli artillery shelling in the area at the same time.
After the Israeli military carried out air strikes in Gaza on Tuesday evening, witnesses reported powerful explosions in several parts of the territory, including Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis in the south.
A spokesman for the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency told the BBC that at least four people were killed, including three women, when a home belonging to the al-Banna family was bombed in the southern Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City.
Strikes also reportedly hit a courtyard of al-Shifa hospital, in the western Rimal area.
The Civil Defence spokesman said another five people were killed, including two children and a woman, when a vehicle was hit on al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis.
Hamas put out a statement denying that its fighters had attacked Israeli troops and condemning the Israeli strikes.
Hamas affirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement, it said.
The criminal bombardment carried out by the fascist occupation [Israeli] army on areas of the Gaza Strip represents a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire agreement brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey is supposed to implement the first stage of President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan.
It said Hamas would return its 48 living and deceased hostages within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect on 10 October.
All 20 living Israeli hostages were released on 13 October in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
As tensions remain high, the international community watches closely as both sides navigate the fragile atmosphere amidst ongoing violence.
