Israeli army violates truce, launches air raids in Gaza

‘To date, only lO& of the required medical supplies have been allowed in, exacerbating the crisis,’ says health ministry

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Israel carried out an air strike on Palestinians in northern Gaza on Sunday, rattling an already fragile ceasefire as it prepared for fresh talks in Doha on the future of its truce with Hamas.

Israel's military said its air strike on Sunday targeted fighters who “were identified operating in proximity to IDF troops and attempting to plant an explosive device in the ground in northern Gaza.”

The truce largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza, where virtually the entire population was displaced by Israel's relentless military campaign in response to Hamas's Oct.7, 2023, attack.

The six-week first phase revolved around the exchange of 25 living Israeli hostages and eight bodies for the release of about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

It also allowed much-needed food, shelter and medical assistance to re-enter Gaza.

The Palestinian group has repeatedly called for an immediate start to negotiations on the ceasefire’s second phase, which it hopes will lead to a permanent end to the war.

However, Israel says it prefers an extension of phase one until mid-April.