Israel strikes Gaza, says Hamas attacked its troops

Both sides have accused each other of violating US-brokered ceasefire for days

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Israel launched a series of strikes in Gaza on Oct 19 in response to attacks on its forces, the military said, shaking an already fragile ceasefire in the shattered enclave as it traded blame with militant group Hamas for violating the truce.

Residents in Gaza and the local health authorities said that Israeli air strikes and tank fire across the enclave killed at least 11 people.

An Israeli military official said that further strikes against Hamas targets may still be launched, in retaliation for at least three attacks on Israeli troops on Oct 19.

The Israeli military said that its air strikes and artillery fire targeted militants in the southern area of Rafah who had launched an antitank missile and fired on its soldiers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had ordered the military to respond forcefully to what he described as Hamas’ violations of the ceasefire.

Hamas’ armed wing said in a statement that it remained committed to the ceasefire agreement in all of Gaza, adding that it was unaware of clashes in Rafah and that it has not been in contact with groups there since March.