At least 50 Palestinians, including 22 children, were killed on Tuesday night as Israel launched a wave of heavy airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency and local hospitals. The attacks followed Israeli accusations that Hamas violated the US-brokered ceasefire by killing an Israeli soldier in southern Gaza.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas had crossed “a bright red line” and vowed the group would “pay many times over” for what he described as a direct assault on Israeli troops. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he ordered the military to carry out “forceful strikes,” though no further details were provided.
Witnesses reported that the strikes hit homes, schools, and residential areas in Gaza City, Beit Lahia, Bureij, Nuseirat, and Khan Younis. A Civil Defence spokesman said rescue efforts were ongoing “under extremely difficult conditions,” warning that more victims might still be trapped under rubble.
Eyewitnesses described “pillars of fire and smoke” over Gaza City as explosions rocked the area. In Bureij, five members of the Abu Sharar family were reportedly killed, while another airstrike in Khan Younis claimed five more lives. Nearly 200 others were injured in the attacks.
The Israeli military said the strikes came in response to the death of Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, a reservist engineer killed when his unit came under fire in Rafah. According to Israeli sources, the team was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles.
Hamas, however, denied involvement in the incident, insisting it remained committed to the truce. “Hamas affirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah,” the group said, calling Israel’s response “a blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump sought to downplay fears of a total ceasefire collapse, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, “Nothing is going to jeopardise the ceasefire. Israel should hit back when its soldiers are attacked.” Vice President JD Vance also said the truce was “holding” despite “small skirmishes.”
The renewed hostilities come amid a separate dispute between Israel and Hamas over the return of hostages’ remains. Israel accused Hamas of returning the wrong body earlier this week and released drone footage it claimed showed a “staged recovery.” Both Hamas and the International Committee of the Red Cross denied the allegation.
Under Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, Hamas was required to return all hostages and bodies within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect on October 10. While 20 living hostages have been released, only 13 bodies have been returned so far.
More than 68,500 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began following the October 2023 Hamas attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead. With renewed airstrikes and deepening mistrust between both sides, hopes for lasting peace on the Gaza front appear increasingly uncertain.
