Ceasefire Fails: Israel Orders “Powerful” Strikes on Gaza

Israel has carried out airstrikes on Gaza after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “immediate, powerful” attacks. Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday that Hamas was in “clear violation” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement after returning remains to Israel that did not belong to any of the 13 hostages in the enclave.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas would pay a “heavy price” and promised Israel would respond “with great force.”

Fighter jets were heard over Jerusalem as residents in Gaza faced renewed fear and tension. At least two people were killed and four injured in a strike near Gaza City, according to Hamas-run civil defence officials.

Hamas said Israel’s escalation would “hinder search and excavation operations and the retrieval of bodies” and postponed handing over another deceased hostage.

All but one of the remaining hostages were among 251 people abducted in the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 68,500 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.