GAZA: Israel’s military launched a series of airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday, killing at least 26 Palestinians, including women and children, in a move that appears to violate the fragile ceasefire brokered earlier this month.
The strikes came after two Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes near the Gaza border. Israel said it targeted Hamas commanders, weapons depots, and tunnels, while Palestinian residents reported civilian areas, including a former school sheltering displaced families, were hit.
U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that the ceasefire he helped broker remains in effect, suggesting that local Hamas cells may have acted independently. He promised the situation would be handled “toughly but properly,” without directly condemning the Israeli strikes.
The attack prompted temporary halts to humanitarian aid into Gaza, though supplies are expected to resume following U.S. pressure. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains closed pending Hamas’ compliance with the truce, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents in the enclave facing urgent food and medical needs.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as a response to ceasefire violations, while Hamas insisted its leadership had no role in the clashes and reaffirmed its commitment to the truce.
The escalation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire, with key issues including the disarmament of Hamas, the return of deceased hostages, and Gaza’s future governance remaining unresolved.
