Israeli Strikes Shatter Gaza Truce, Hamas Denies Link to Rafah Incident
Netanyahu Orders “Immediate and Powerful” Attacks, Killing More then 20 Palestinians
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The Israeli occupation has launched a series of “immediate and powerful strikes” on the Gaza Strip as ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, killing at least 20 Palestinians and injuring dozens more.
The escalation came shortly after Hamas denied any involvement in a reported sniper incident in Rafah, where an Israeli troop was said to have been wounded, warning that the renewed airstrikes represent a blatant violation of the Sharm El-Sheikh ceasefire agreement.
Hamas: “We Have No Connection to Rafah Incident”
In a statement on Tuesday, Hamas categorically denied any link to the Rafah incident and reaffirmed its full commitment to the ceasefire agreement signed in Sharm El-Sheikh under the auspices of President Donald Trump.
The movement condemned what it called “criminal bombardment by the occupying fascist army” against Gaza, stressing that the attacks constitute a clear breach of the truce.
Hamas said these violations have persisted in recent days, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries and keeping the Rafah crossing closed, describing them as deliberate attempts to undermine the ceasefire and obstruct its implementation.
The movement called on international mediators overseeing the agreement to act immediately to restrain the occupying forces, stop their attacks on civilians, and ensure full compliance with all terms of the accord.
“Israel” Launches Massive Wave of Airstrikes
At Netanyahu’s direction, Israeli forces bombed multiple areas across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, killing at least 20 Palestinians and wounding more than 50, according to medical and civil defense sources.
Five Palestinians were killed when occupation forces targeted a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, while other airstrikes hit Rafah in the south and the al-Shati’ refugee camp west of Gaza City.
Three civilians were killed when an Israeli missile struck a house in the Yarmouk area of central Gaza City, and another three were killed in an airstrike targeting a school sheltering refugees in Beit Lahia, north of the enclave.
Additional strikes hit the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighborhood, as well as several residential areas, including al-Zaytoun and al-Sabra.
In al-Sabra, Israeli warplanes struck a multi-story home belonging to the al-Banna family, killing four people and injuring several others, including a child and an infant. Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing to locate survivors under the rubble.
In southern Gaza, an airstrike targeted an apartment in the al-Amal neighborhood of Khan Younis, killing one and wounding others, while Israeli artillery shelled eastern Shujaiya in Gaza City. Another strike hit a tent sheltering displaced civilians near the al-Sawarḥa cemetery west of al-Zawayda, causing multiple injuries.
IOF Claims Hamas “Violated” Agreement
Israeli officials claimed the airstrikes were in retaliation for Hamas’ alleged violation of the truce and its “refusal to hand over the prisoners’ bodies.”
However, Hamas accused “Israel” of deliberately obstructing recovery efforts by blocking the entry of heavy equipment needed for search operations, and by denying access to joint teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross and Palestinian Resistance.
The movement said “Israel’s” allegations were baseless and aimed at misleading public opinion to justify further military escalation.
Al-Qassam Postpones Captive Handover
Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, announced the postponement of an Israeli captive’s body handover that had been scheduled for Tuesday, citing ongoing Israeli violations.
Earlier in the day, the Brigades said they had located the body of an Israeli captive while conducting searches in a tunnel in southern Gaza.
The group warned that renewed Israeli aggression would hinder search and excavation operations and delay the recovery of captives’ bodies.
Netanyahu Orders Escalation
Following security consultations, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he had instructed the army to carry out “immediate and powerful strikes” across the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media reported that “Israel” informed the U.S. mechanism in Kiryat Gat of its plan to conduct airstrikes prior to the operation.
The latest escalation threatens to derail fragile truce efforts and further deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians remain trapped amid ongoing bombardment and a continued blockade. (PW)