'Israeli' raids on the Gaza Strip (file image)
‘Israeli’ army launches airstrikes on Gaza after soldier injured in alleged Hamas ceasefire breach
Hebrew sources reported Tuesday evening that the 'Israeli' army has begun conducting airstrikes on targets in southern Gaza. The military said the strikes are in response to what it described as a “ceasefire violation by Hamas” and the wounding of an 'Israeli' soldier by Palestinian fire in the Rafah area.
The escalation threatens the fragile ceasefire agreement recently reached and raises concerns over a possible return to full-scale hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Incident details
According to the 'Israeli' army radio, Hamas fighters opened fire on an 'Israeli' military force in Rafah, in southern Gaza. 'Israeli' media later confirmed that one soldier was injured in the attack.
In response, the 'Israeli' military announced it had launched airstrikes on Hamas targets in the southern Gaza Strip. The exact nature of the targets and the extent of any damage or casualties were not immediately clear.
This incident comes just hours after high-level security consultations held by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss responses to previous alleged ceasefire violations.
Fragile ceasefire under pressure
Analysts suggest that the injury of the soldier prompted the 'Israeli' military to act swiftly, putting the recent ceasefire agreement to its first major test. Palestinian officials warned that such retaliatory strikes could destabilize the truce and trigger a broader escalation of violence.
Local sources in Gaza reported a tense atmosphere as residents braced for further airstrikes. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concern that renewed military operations could exacerbate the already dire living conditions in the densely populated enclave, which continues to struggle with shortages of electricity, clean water, and medical supplies.
The 'Israeli' army has not released additional details about the scale of the operation, and Hamas has yet to issue a formal response. Both sides remain on high alert as the situation develops, with fears mounting over the potential collapse of the recent ceasefire.
