Israeli air strikes in Gaza have resumed in Rafah today, marking a sharp escalation less than two weeks into a fragile ceasefire deal.
The occupying Israeli forces accused Hamas of attacking its soldiers, while the Palestinian group denied any involvement, insisting it remains committed to the truce.
Medical sources said five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on central Gaza, with two more killed and many wounded in northern Gaza from earlier. The Gaza Government Media Office reported that Israel had committed “flagrant and clear violations of the ceasefire decision and the rules of international humanitarian law,” killing 38 people and injuring 143 since the truce came into effect.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israel’s war has killed at least 68,159 people, and wounded 170,203 since October 2023.
Palestinian officials said Israeli forces had carried out at least 47 violations since the ceasefire began in early October. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed by Israeli occupation forces “until further notice,” further blocking critical humanitarian aid.
Israeli claims
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strikes, saying Palestinian fighters fired antitank missiles and guns at Israeli soldiers. The occupying army claimed it was targeting Hamas military structures and dismantling tunnel shafts in Rafah.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military action was ordered after consultations with senior defence officials. His office stated he instructed the army to act with force against what was referred to as “terror targets”.
Pressure has been mounting within Israel’s political establishment to resume the war. Opposition leader Benny Gantz said all options should remain on the table, “including a return to military manoeuvring”. Former prime pinister Naftali Bennett claimed Hamas had retaken control of Gaza, insisting the group “must be destroyed.”
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, calling on Netanyahu to “resume combat in the Gaza Strip with maximum force.”
Hamas denies accusations
Hamas has rejected Israeli claims, saying it was unaware of any fighting in Rafah and denied targeting Israeli soldiers. Its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said “We have no knowledge of any incidents or clashes taking place in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under the occupation’s control, and contact with the remaining groups of ours there has been cut off since the war resumed in March of this year.”
Hamas spokesman Izzat al-Rishq accused Israel of “fabricating flimsy pretexts to justify its crimes” and reaffirmed the group’s full commitment to the ceasefire in all aspects of the Gaza Strip.
The group also condemned Washington’s support for Israeli narratives. It dismissed US claims that Hamas was planning an imminent ceasefire violation as false and said they “fully align with the misleading Israeli propaganda and provide cover for the continuation of the occupation’s crimes and organised aggression.”
Hamas added that its forces “are fulfilling their national duty in pursuing these gangs and holding them accountable according to clear legal mechanisms, to protect citizens and preserve public and private property”.
Rawhi Fattouh, president of the Palestinian National Council, urged the international community to deploy international forces in Gaza to protect Palestinians and ensure the ceasefire deal is implemented.
Background and continuing crisis
The current ceasefire and hostage swap deal was brokered by the US, based on a plan presented by President Donald Trump. The first phase included the exchange of hostages and prisoners, and outlines steps toward rebuilding Gaza and creating a new governing mechanism without Hamas.
Despite this, occupying Israeli forces have continued raids across the Strip. At least 51 Palestinians have been killed and 150 wounded since the ceasefire began.
The Rafah crossing’s closure continues to prevent essential aid from entering Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
The resumption of Israeli air strikes has reignited fears of a full-scale return to the genocide, further dimming hopes for stability in the devastated enclave.
