Israel Launches Airstrikes in Gaza After Alleged Hamas Attack

Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Gaza on Sunday, marking a significant test of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending over two years of conflict. The military responded after alleging that its troops were fired upon by Hamas militants, who reportedly used a rocket-propelled grenade.

According to Israel’s military, the strikes targeted areas near the city of Rafah, which lies within zones defined by the ceasefire agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted with security officials and instructed the military to take “strong action” against any violations of the ceasefire, although he refrained from threatening a return to full-scale conflict. No injuries were reported in the incidents involving gunfire directed at Israeli troops.

Casualties and Hostage Developments

Health officials in Gaza reported that Israeli airstrikes resulted in at least six fatalities, including a strike on a makeshift coffeehouse in Zawaida. Additional strikes in the Nuseirat refugee camp and Khan Younis resulted in further casualties, including at least two deaths and multiple injuries, as confirmed by the Gaza Health Ministry.

On the same day, Israel identified the remains of two hostages previously held by Hamas. The bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri. Both were presumed dead following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the current conflict. Engel’s family had previously experienced the trauma of his wife and two children being kidnapped and later released during a ceasefire in November 2023.

In recent days, Hamas has handed over the remains of twelve hostages, while its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, announced plans to return another body, contingent on the situation on the ground. The ongoing conflict has complicated the repatriation of hostages, with Israel asserting that Hamas holds more bodies than it has returned.

Ceasefire Negotiations and Humanitarian Concerns

The Rafah border crossing, the only entry point not controlled by Israel, has been a focal point in ceasefire negotiations. It has remained closed since May 2024 when Israel enforced control over the Gaza side. The Palestinian Authority announced new procedures for those wishing to traverse the crossing, with embassy staff present to facilitate travel documentation.

As the death toll in Gaza surpasses 68,000, according to the Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. The Red Cross reports that thousands are still unaccounted for, adding urgency to international calls for more comprehensive humanitarian aid, including the full reopening of the Rafah crossing.

Looking ahead, the next phase of ceasefire negotiations is expected to involve discussions on disarming Hamas and establishing a governing authority for Gaza. Hamas spokesman Hazem Kassem stated that talks with mediators have commenced, emphasizing the need for national consensus regarding future governance. He reiterated that Hamas would not participate in the ruling authority of a post-war Gaza, calling instead for a body of Palestinian technocrats to manage daily affairs.

As the situation remains fluid, the international community is closely monitoring developments, particularly with respect to humanitarian access and the fate of hostages. The complexities of the ceasefire and the continuing cycle of violence underscore the fragility of peace efforts in the region.