Israel says ceasefire back on after deadly strikes

Israel's military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 66 women and children, according to local health officials.

- By WaFraa SHURAFA AND JOSH Boak

A WOMAN surveys destruction Wednesday after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City.

(SAEED M. M. T. JARAS Anadolu)

The strikes, the deadliest since the ceasefire began Oct. 10, marked the most serious challenge to the tenuous truce to date.

The bombardment pointed to Israel's readiness to strike hard at what it says are Hamas violations of the ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, the militant group denies it isresponsible and blames Israel for violations.

After it announced the restoration of the ceasefire, the Israeli military said it carried out another airstrike in northern Gaza, targeting what it called a site where weapons were being stored for an imminent attack. Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said it received two bodies from the strike.

The latest violence puts new strains on American pressure to keep the ceasefire on track. President Trump defended Israel's strikes but also insisted the escalation won't wreck the truce.

Israel said its overnight strikes were inretaliation for the shootingand killing ofan Israeli soldier in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said Hamas violated provisions in the deal concerning the handover ofremains of hostages.

Hamas denied any involvement in the deadly shooting and, in turn, accused Israel of “ablatant violation of the ceasefire deal.” It also said it would delay handing over the body ofanother hostage to Israel because ofthe strikes.

The strikes across Gaza in the early hours Wednesday pounded buildings and tent camps housing displaced families.

Ambulances and small trucks carrying bodies crowded hospital entrances. In Deir al Balah, bodies were wheeled in on stretchers or carried on mattresses. One man walked into a hospital carrying the body ofa young child.