A tenuous ceasefire had been negotiated between Hamas and Israel, violence broke out anew in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday (Oct 28), Israel conducted new airstrikes against several sites in Gaza, fueling worries that the truce might fall apart entirely. The airstrikes came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct powerful attacks against Hamas for reported Hamas breaches.
At least three Israeli airstrikes targeted the territory early Tuesday, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence. “The occupation is now bombing Gaza with at least three air strikes in spite of the agreement for ceasefire,” declared Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for the agency. The airstrikes which happened just days after the peace deal brokered by the U.S. were reportedly targeting Hamas positions along Gaza City.
ALSO READ: Fact Check: Michelle Obama’s Portrait & the White House Demolition Rumor
At the same time, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz blamed Hamas for attacking Israeli troops during the ceasefire as a red line. Katz made a promise that Hamas will pay a heavy price for breaking the terms of the agreement for bringing back dead hostages’ bodies.
Netanyahu Orders Immediate Strikes
After the reported attack on Israeli troops in southern Gaza’s Rafah area, Netanyahu ordered the military to respond immediately. “The terrorist group Hamas will pay a heavy price,” his office stated. Within hours, Israeli fighter jets attacked areas close to Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s main medical facility. Local media reported at least two Palestinians were killed and four injured.
Though the IDF has made no comment on the incident, military officials informed Associated Press that Israeli soldiers were first subjected to gunfire, leading to retaliation.
ALSO READ: Fact Check: Did Barack Obama Really Spend $376 Million on the White House Basketball Court?
Hostage Dispute Escalates Tensions
One of the central terms of the truce demanded that Hamas return the bodies of all hostages killed while in captivity. Netanyahu denounced Hamas’s recent behavior as a clear violation of the truce. Hamas has since refused to return the thirteen Israeli hostages bodies and has now postponed additional handovers since the latest Israeli bombardments.
The most recent escalation threatens to jeopardize the fragile peace process that had started last week. The two sides blame each other for violating the ceasefire, and diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and neighbouring powers are again strained.
The truce in effect since Oct. 10, had generally held despite scattered firefights but with new Israeli air raids and Hamas withholding the swap of hostage corpses, the agreement’s future is doubtful. The new violence could undo months of diplomatic gains and revive a deadly cycle of reprisal that Gaza and Israel have experienced again and again.
ALSO READ: Who Is Patty Murray? The Senator Taking on Donald Trump Over Shutdown Crisis | Net Worth & Career
Disclaimer: This article is based on current reports and official statements. Details may evolve as new information becomes available.
