Israeli warplanes struck Gaza City on Tuesday following accusations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas had violated the ongoing ceasefire. The airstrikes targeted a residential building in the Sabra neighborhood and an area near Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest operational medical facility. Gaza officials reported at least two people killed and four wounded.
The Israeli military has not immediately commented on the strikes, described by Netanyahu’s office as “powerful attacks” ordered in response to Hamas actions. An Israeli official said the militant group had attacked Israeli forces in a zone under Israeli control, calling it a “blatant violation of the ceasefire.”
The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., took effect on October 10, halting two years of conflict that began with Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations since the truce.
Tensions have escalated over the exchange of hostages and the return of remains. Netanyahu claimed Hamas handed over incorrect remains on Monday, while Hamas postponed a planned handover of another body, blaming Israel for violating the ceasefire. Under the agreement, Hamas released all living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, while Israel pulled back its forces and halted offensive operations.
Efforts to locate and recover the remains of deceased hostages have intensified, with Egyptian teams working alongside Hamas in Khan Younis and Nuseirat. Some bodies are believed to be hidden in Gaza’s network of tunnels. Gaza health authorities report 68,000 confirmed deaths from Israeli strikes, with thousands more missing.
The fragile truce continues to face challenges as both sides accuse each other of violations and the search for hostages’ remains fuels renewed violence.