Gaza ceasefire tested

ISRAEL struck targets in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday, after it said its troops came under fire from Hamas militants, in the first major test of a United States-brokered ceasefire meant to halt more than two years of war.

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Members of the Palestinian group used a rocket-propelled grenade and Israel responded with air strikes and artillery, the Israeli military said.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Israel's leading security officials and directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations, but did not threaten to return to war. Hamas said that it was not connected to any clashes in Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The strikes came as Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight on Saturday, and the Palestinian group said talks to launch the second phase of ceasefire negotiations have begun.