Israel launched airstrikes against Hamas targets on Sunday (19 October) and suspended all aid shipments, accusing the militant group of violating a fragile ceasefire by setting a deadly ambush that killed two Israeli soldiers in Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attack represented a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement”, prompting a large-scale retaliation against what it described as “Hamas terror targets.” ‘Blatant violation’ of ceasefire In a statement, the IDF said it had hit “dozens of Hamas terror targets”, including weapons caches, firing positions and command posts. “We were responding to a blatant violation of the ceasefire,” the army said, adding that six kilometers (3.7 miles) of underground tunnels had been destroyed with more than 120 rounds of ammunition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military “to take strong action against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.” Palestinian officials said at least five people were killed in the strikes, which extended as far north as Gaza City. Aid Suspended, Rafah Crossing Closed Israel has also halted all aid transfers to Gaza “until further notice,” an Israeli security official told the Associated Press. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt – previously expected to reopen this week – will remain closed indefinitely, officials said. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any attempt by Hamas to breach the cease-fire line would provoke military fire. “The yellow line will be physically marked,” he said. “Any breach or attempt to cross it will be met with fire.” Hamas denies wrongdoing, blames Israel Hamas has denied orchestrating the Rafah attack and said it remains committed to the ceasefire. “It appears that the occupation continues to violate the agreement and make flimsy pretexts to justify its crimes,” Hamas official Ezzat al-Risheq said on Telegram. The group’s armed wing said it was “unaware of any incidents or clashes in Rafah,” adding that it was “committed to everything agreed upon, including a ceasefire in all areas in Gaza.” Hamas later announced that it had recovered the body of another Israeli hostage, which it would hand over “if conditions permit.” US monitors situation closely The renewed violence comes as US mediators, including Vice President JD Vance and senior envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, prepare to travel to the region to preserve the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald Trump on October 10. Palestinian administration—a condition that Hamas opposed. The US State Department warned on Saturday that it had “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas”, although the group dismissed the claim as “false and in line with Israeli propaganda”. Road to peace remains fragile Although the ceasefire halted two years of bloodshed, mutual accusations now threaten to unravel it. Hamas says Israeli strikes have killed 46 Palestinians in recent days, while Israel insists they were only acting to prevent incursions across the ceasefire line. “The future of Gaza’s governance, Hamas’ disarmament and the assembly of an international stabilization force remain unresolved,” a regional diplomat said, warning that the path to peace “hangs by a thread.”
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