Israel has launched a wave of air strikes targeting what it describes as Hamas terror infrastructure in southern Gaza, marking the first major test of the fragile week-old ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.
The Israel Defense Forces announced it had begun striking multiple targets in the Rafah area on Sunday afternoon after accusing Palestinian militants of attacking its troops with anti-tank missiles and gunfire earlier in the day.
The military operation threatens to unravel the delicate truce that came into effect on 10 October, with both sides now trading fierce accusations over who bears responsibility for the breakdown.
IDF Claims Multiple Attacks on Forces
The Israeli military said terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire towards IDF troops operating to dismantle terror infrastructure in the Rafah area in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
“In response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity,” the military statement read.
“These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly.”
An Israeli military official told media outlets that Hamas carried out “multiple attacks” against Israeli forces beyond the Yellow Line, the agreed boundary where Israeli troops are positioned under the first phase of the ceasefire.
The attacks included rocket-propelled grenade fire and sniper shots at military forces, both occurring in Israeli-controlled areas east of the Yellow Line, according to the official.
Netanyahu Orders Forceful Response
Following the alleged attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations with Defence Minister Israel Katz and security chiefs.
His office issued a statement saying he had “instructed them to act forcefully against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip” in response to what Israel characterised as Hamas’s ceasefire violation.
Katz warned: “Hamas will learn the hard way today that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and prevent any harm to them.”
By Sunday afternoon, Israeli sources reported that more than 20 targets had been struck across southern Gaza, including tunnels and buildings allegedly used by militant operatives.
Hamas Denies Knowledge of Rafah Clashes
Hamas swiftly rejected Israel’s accusations, with its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, stating it was “unaware of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area.
The group claimed Rafah is under Israeli control and that its contact with groups in the area had been severed since the collapse of a previous ceasefire in March.
“We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
Izzat Al-Rishq, a senior member of Hamas’s political wing, accused Israel of working to “fabricate flimsy pretexts” to evade its responsibilities under the ceasefire agreement.
Palestinian Casualties Reported
Palestinian medical sources reported multiple casualties from the Israeli strikes across Gaza.
At least two Palestinians were killed and others injured in an air strike east of Jabalia in northern Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency.
Four Palestinians were reportedly killed in an air strike targeting a café in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
The Gaza Government Media Office claims Israel has committed 47 violations since the ceasefire took effect, resulting in 38 deaths and 143 wounded Palestinians prior to Sunday’s major escalation.
Ceasefire Agreement Under Strain
The ceasefire, which came into force on 10 October, was brokered by US President Trump and saw Hamas release the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Under the agreement, Israeli forces were required to withdraw from certain areas whilst being permitted to remain in others, including parts of Rafah, to dismantle terror infrastructure.
However, both sides have accused each other of repeatedly violating the terms of the deal in the days since it took effect.
US Issued Warning About Hamas Violations
The US State Department issued a statement on Saturday claiming it had “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza”.
The department warned that “should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire”.
Hamas dismissed the American warning as baseless propaganda.
Rafah Crossing Remains Closed
Adding to tensions, Netanyahu announced on Saturday that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed “until further notice”.
The prime minister cited Hamas’s failure to return all deceased hostages’ remains as required under the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas has handed over 12 sets of remains out of 28 that were in its possession when the ceasefire began, claiming it needs more time to locate others buried under rubble from two years of conflict.
The closure of Rafah significantly restricts aid deliveries into Gaza, where the world’s leading hunger authority has declared famine conditions in some areas.
Fragile Peace Hangs in Balance
The Sunday violence represents the most serious breakdown of the ceasefire since it took effect just nine days ago.
The conflicting narratives from Israel and Hamas about what occurred in Rafah highlight the deep mistrust between the two sides and the fragility of the peace agreement.
President Trump, who received widespread praise for brokering the ceasefire, now faces the challenge of preventing its complete collapse amid the first major test of the deal’s durability.
Whether the current escalation can be contained or will spiral into a full resumption of hostilities remains uncertain as both sides show little willingness to back down from their positions.
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