Israel, Hamas accuse each other of breaching truce 'amid strikes'

Gaza's nine-day-old ceasefire came under strain on Sunday after the Israeli army said it launched air strikes in response to attacks it claimed were carried out by Hamas against its forces.

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Hamas, however, maintained it was adhering to the truce, with one official accusing Israel of devising “pretexts” to resume its own attacks.

Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight, as the Palestinian group said talks to launch the second phase of ceasefire negotiations have begun, despite strikes traded between Israel and militants in southern Gaza on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Israel threatened to keep the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed “until further notice.”

Later on Sunday, the military said in an online briefing that it launched strikes after attacks in Rafah, southern Gaza, and in the northern town of Beit Al Lahia, warning “there is a possibility of more strikes.”

Gaza's civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, said at least 13 people had been killed across the territory. The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports of casualties.

Hamas issued a statement detailing what it said were a series of violations by Israel, that it says have left 46 people dead and stopped essential supplies from reaching the enclave.