Israel pounds Gaza as ceasefire breaks down

ISRAEL pounded Gaza with fresh airstrikes after claiming that its soldiers were fired on by Hamas.

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Fighting flared in southern Gaza when Israeli troops reported being attacked by the terrorist group as part of a "bold violation" of the fragile truce.

The Israel Defense Forces said "terrorists fired an antitank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops" in the Rafah area.

In retaliation, air force fighter jets began "striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity", it added.

The IDF said: "These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly."