Israel strikes Gaza and halts aid after Hamas ‘violations'

IDF says it has resumed enforcing ceasefire despite attacks

- JAMES C. REYNOLDS

Israel temporarily suspended the supply of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and launched a fresh wave of strikes after accusing Hamas of breaching a US-brokered ceasefire.

An Israeli official told Sky News that the transfer of aid would be halted “until further notice” following a “blatant violation of the agreement” by Hamas.

However, overnight, the military said it had resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and an official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume today.

A senior Egyptian official involved in the ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” contacts were underway to deescalate the situation, as Israel’s military said militants fired at troops in areas of Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled, according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines. No injuries were reported. The military said Israel responded with air strikes and artillery.

Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and “we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas”.

Residents in Gaza and local health authorities said that Israeli airstrikes and tank fire across the enclave had killed at least 36 Palestinians, including children.

The IDF said in a statement that terrorists had fired an antitank missile and gunfire towards IDF troops working in Rafah. In response, “the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity”.

An Israeli military official told The Independent that Hamas had carried out “multiple attacks” against Israeli troops beyond the agreed withdrawal line in a “bold violation of the ceasefire”.