Israel has carried out air strikes in Gaza, in response to what Israeli officials said were violations of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas of attacking Israeli soldiers in Gaza on Tuesday, and breaching the terms on returning the bodies of deceased hostages.
A brief statement put out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had ordered forceful strikes by the military but did not specify his reasons.
However, Katz said Hamas had crossed a bright red line by launching an attack on Israeli soldiers in Gaza.
The Palestinian armed group claimed it had no connection to the attack and insisted it was committed to the ceasefire deal.
At least 33 Palestinians were killed in the series of Israeli strikes, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency and hospital officials.
News edited by Favour Owonibi