Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Both sides reported attacks and deaths. In the evening, the Israeli military announced that the ceasefire would be observed again.

Following heavy airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army says it intends to resume compliance with the Gaza ceasefire."At the direction of the political leadership and following a series of heavy attacks in response to Hamas violations, the IDF (army) has begun re-enforcing the ceasefire," it said in a statement posted on Telegram. At the same time, the army warned that it would respond decisively to any violations.

The painstakingly negotiated ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist Hamas group had previously faltered dangerously – nine days after it came into effect. Israel reported attacks on its troops in the southern Gaza Strip – presumably by fighters from the terrorist organization Hamas. Two were reportedly killed. Gunmen also approached Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip and were shot dead.

"Response to the blatant ceasefire violation"

The Israeli Air Force then bombed targets in the Gaza Strip. Among other things,"a series of attacks against Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip" was carried out, the military said. This was a"response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire" by Hamas.

According to several hospitals, a total of 14 Palestinians were killed in various attacks. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reports higher numbers. A makeshift café on the coast was also hit, killing at least six people. These figures cannot be independently verified.

Hamas contradicts Israel's portrayal

According to the Israeli military, extremists had previously fired rocket-propelled grenades at soldiers in Rafah, on the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt. The soldiers were reportedly in an area that remains under Israeli control under the ceasefire agreement.

A senior Hamas official denied that his organization was involved in the attack. Hamas stated that communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months."We are not responsible for any incident in these areas," it stated.

Right-wing extremist minister writes of "war"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted with security force commanders and instructed the military to "take decisive action against violations of the ceasefire." He did not threaten a resumption of war. Other members of his coalition took a more strident stance: Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Hamas that it would"pay a heavy price" for "every shot" fired at Israeli soldiers and "every violation of the ceasefire." The far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote on the online service X: "War!"

According to the 20-point plan brokered by US President Donald Trump, a ceasefire has been in effect in the Gaza Strip since October 10. The Israeli army has partially withdrawn and now controls about half of the Gaza Strip, including the borders—but not the main cities.

For its part, Hamas has – as agreed – released 20 hostages taken to the Palestinian Territories two years ago. Of the 28 dead hostages who should also have been returned according to the agreement, only 12 have returned to Israel.