‘Israel’ says launched fresh strikes on Hamas in southern Gaza

The ‘Israeli’ military claimed it had launched fresh strikes against Hamas targets in southern Gaza on Sunday.

"In response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement earlier today, the IDF (military) has begun a series of strikes against Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

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

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

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 Lahia, warning "there is a possibility of more strikes".

Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 13 people had been killed across the territory. The ‘Israeli’ military said it was looking into the reports of casualties.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier instructed security forces to take "strong action against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip", his office said in a statement, accusing Hamas of "a ceasefire violation".

Defence Minister Israel Katz then warned that the group would "pay a heavy price for every shot and every breach of the ceasefire", adding ‘Israel's’ response would "become increasingly severe".