Israel Launches Airstrikes in Gaza After Hamas Attack on Troops

Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Gaza on Sunday, marking a significant challenge to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending over two years of conflict. The Israeli military reported that its troops were attacked by Hamas militants using a rocket-propelled grenade. In response, Israel targeted multiple locations in Gaza, including a makeshift coffeehouse and a tent in the Nuseirat refugee camp.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with Israel’s security leaders to discuss the situation. He ordered the military to take “strong action” against any violations of the ceasefire, although he did not indicate an intention to resume full-scale hostilities. The military highlighted that the attacks originated from areas of Rafah that fall under Israeli-controlled ceasefire lines. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among Israeli forces.

Details of the Strikes and Casualties

The Israeli airstrikes resulted in multiple fatalities. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least six Palestinians were killed in a strike that targeted the coffeehouse in Zawaida. Another airstrike in Nuseirat claimed the lives of two individuals and left eight others injured. A separate incident in Khan Younis resulted in at least one additional death. An Israeli military official confirmed three incidents of military engagement on Sunday, emphasizing that these reports were preliminary.

In the aftermath of the violence, Israel confirmed the identification of two hostages, Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, whose remains were returned by Hamas. Engel, a father of three, was taken during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which escalated the ongoing conflict. His family had previously been part of a ceasefire deal that led to the release of some hostages in November 2023.

Negotiations and Humanitarian Concerns

Simultaneously, Hamas accused Israel of committing multiple ceasefire violations while stating that it was not involved in the clashes in Rafah. The group indicated that discussions had commenced regarding the second phase of ceasefire negotiations. This phase is expected to address disarming Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas, and the governance of Gaza moving forward.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem noted the necessity for a national consensus to solidify positions and emphasized that the ruling authority in postwar Gaza should not include Hamas. He called for the establishment of a body of Palestinian technocrats to manage civil affairs until a more comprehensive administrative committee is created.

The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting over 68,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began. This figure does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, and Israel has disputed these numbers without offering alternative statistics. The ongoing violence has also resulted in thousands of missing individuals, according to the Red Cross.

Israel has returned 150 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, to assist families searching for lost loved ones. However, only 25 of these bodies have been identified, raising concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis as the conflict continues to unfold.

Negotiations concerning the Rafah border crossing, which remains closed, are crucial for facilitating humanitarian aid and travel for Palestinians. The crossing, the only entry point not controlled by Israel prior to the war, has been inaccessible since May 2024. The Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry has announced procedures for Palestinians wishing to cross into Egypt for medical treatment or family visits.

As the situation evolves, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict and a restoration of stability in the region.