Israel says Gaza ceasefire restored after dozens of Palestinians killed in airstrikes

The Israeli military said it had “begun to renew the ceasefire” in Gaza after carrying out air strikes which, he said, affected “dozens of terrorist and terrorist targets” in the Palestinian territory. Tuesday’s outbreak of violence raised fears that the U.S.-brokered government Peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. it could fall apart.

At least 104 Palestinians were killed in Israel’s attacks, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that it “will continue to defend the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violations of it.”

An Israeli military source said on Tuesday that IDF forces had been operating in Rafah, southern Gaza, to dismantle tunnels when enemy fire was directed at a structure and an engineering vehicle, killing Master Sergeant (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum.

Shortly afterward, anti-tank missiles were fired at another armored vehicle and troops in the area, the Israeli military source said.

Hamas denied any involvement in the shooting.

Later on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza in response to ceasefire violations by Hamas.

In response, Hamas said it would delay the return of the remains of another hostage that was expected to occur on Tuesday.

President Trump, who is traveling in Asia, said Israel was justified in carrying out the attacks against Hamas, telling reporters on Wednesday: “As I understand it, [Hamas] he eliminated an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis counterattacked and should counterattack. “When that happens, they should hit back.”

“Nothing will jeopardize” the ceasefire, Trump added. “You have to understand that Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East and that they have to behave.”

On Wednesday, Hamas accused the Israeli army of committing “a large-scale massacre” overnight, “despite the agreement to stop the war.”

Israel’s strikes “reflect a clear lack of respect by the occupation government toward mediators and guarantor states, which have failed to prevent the occupation from continuing its genocidal war in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement.

Mohammed Hasan Abu Daqa, a Palestinian in Khan Younis, told the News themezone team in Gaza that he believed Israel had violated the truce.

“We call on Arab nations, world leaders and the international community to support the people of Gaza,” Abu Daqa said. “The people of Gaza are looking for food. They are looking for water. They are looking for freedom. They are asking for the crossings to be opened and a dignified life like everyone else.”