Israel launches ‘extensive’ Gaza airstrikes in response to Hamas cease-fire violation

Israel launched “significant and extensive” waves of airstrikes on Gaza on Sunday after it said Hamas fired on troops in Rafah, killing two Israel Defense Forces soldiers.

The strikes, which Hamas-controlled health officials said killed 38 people, came after Israel accused the terror group of a “blatant violation of the ceasefire.” Following the barrage, Israel said it was resuming with President Trump’s cease-fire.

“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of significant strikes, the IDF has begun renewed enforcement of the ceasefire following its violation by the terrorist organization Hamas,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

4

“The IDF will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement and will respond forcefully to any violation of the agreement.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said his forces remain on high alert and are “preparing for any scenario.” 

The swift move to reaffirm the cease-fire appeared aimed at quelling fears that the US-brokered peace deal was collapsing following reports of 20 IDF strikes.

“Our planes have begun a significant and extensive wave of attacks on dozens of targets throughout the Gaza Strip,” Israeli journalist Hallel Bitton Rosen wrote on X.

The deployment came as Israel accused Hamas of firing on its forces in the southern city of Rafah, with two Israeli soldiers killed in the attack.  

4

“Terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops,” the IDF said, adding that the attack was “a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.”

A Hamas spokesperson said it was “unaware of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under the control of the occupation.”

Hamas fighters reportedly attacked a group affiliated with Abu Shabab, one of the rival militias jostling for power in the Gaza Strip, a local source told BBC News.

4

Hamas has accused Israel of funding and arming rival gangs, which it says have looted aid trucks to try and undermine the Islamist group’s authority in the territory.

Militants came under surprise tank fire, leading to a shootout before Israeli warplanes bombed the site, the source claimed.

US officials are reportedly working on restoring calm to Gaza in response to the clashes.

4

“We knew this was brewing. And the longer these guys are allowed to attack each other, the more they’re going to attack each other,” a senior Trump administration official told Axios.

President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly held a call with Israeli government officials to discuss the next steps.

The US urged Israel to “respond proportionately but show restraint,” the official said.

“Nobody wants to go back to full-scale war. The Israelis want to show Hamas there are consequences, without ruining the peace agreement,” the official added.

Israel has freed 250 Palestinian prisoners in its jails and 1,718 Gaza detainees, as well as returning 15 bodies of Palestinians. 

Hamas turned over every living hostage in Gaza, plus the remains of others. 

Under Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan agreed this week, Hamas was ordered to relinquish its weapons.