Scramble to shore up ceasefire as Israel hits Gaza with deadly raids

Airstrikes and move to cut off aid come after reports of Hamas attack

- William Christou Jason Burke

Israel launched waves of lethal airstrikes and cut off all aid into Gaza "until further notice" yesterday after a reported attack by Hamas.

The escalations marked the most serious threat so far to the increasingly fragile ceasefire in the devastated territory.

Two Israeli soldiers, including an officer, were killed in the Hamas attack. Palestinian officials said dozens died in the retaliatory airstrikes.

A senior Egyptian official said “round-the-clock” contacts were under way to deescalate the situation as regional powers scrambled to shore up the ceasefire.

Senior US officials, possibly including the vice-president, JD Vance, are expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days in what observers said was a clear effort to hold Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, to the deal signed in Sharm el-Sheikh earlier this month.

Even before yesterday's violence, tensions had been running high in recent days amid a dispute between Hamas and Israel over the return of the remains of 28 deceased hostages held by the militant Islamist group. Israel has said Hamas is delaying the return of some hostages' remains, in violation of the ceasefire deal.

On Saturday Palestinian officials in Gaza accused Israel of violating the ceasefire 48 times and killing dozens of Palestinians since the deal brokered by Donald Trump was signed 10 days ago. There was no official confirmation from Israel of the decision to cut off all aid, which was widely reported in Israeli media as well as by international news agencies citing security officials.

Earlier yesterday Israel said the crucial Rafah crossing with Egypt would remain shut “until further notice”. Moves to delay the opening of Rafah last week prompted widespread international condemnation.