Israel launched a series of strikes on Gaza on Sunday, October 18, in response to attacks on its forces, an IDF official said, blaming the militant group Hamas for the ceasefire violations, Reuters reported.
Israeli airstrikes and tank fire have killed at least 11 people across the enclave, according to Gaza residents and local health authorities.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official said that Hamas carried out at least three attacks on Israeli troops on Sunday. He warned of the possibility of further retaliatory attacks on Hamas targets.
Israel Targets Hamas in Latest Strikes
The IDF said that airstrikes and artillery shelling targeted Hamas militants in the southern area of Rafah, who launched an anti-tank missile and fired on Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to respond forcefully to what he described as ceasefire violations by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
In a statement amid the tensions, Hamas’ armed wing reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement throughout Gaza. The armed wing also said it was unaware of the clashes in Rafah and had not contacted any groups there since March.
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The first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 11 and saw the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, ending two years of war. But the new tensions between Israel and Hamas could become an obstacle to finding a long-term peace.
This article includes reporting from Reuters.