Ceasefire Under Strain As Israel Conducts Air Strikes In Rafah

The Israeli military on Sunday confirmed that it carried out air strikes in Gaza's Rafah area, stating that the operation was in retaliation to Hamas militants firing upon its troops.

According to the Economic Times Report Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas fighters targeted Israeli soldiers in Rafah with anti-tank missiles and gunfire while they were engaged in missions aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure. In response, Israeli fighter jets and artillery launched coordinated strikes against what the IDF described as Hamas tunnel networks and operational facilities.

Eyewitnesses in southern Gaza, particularly in Rafah and Khan Younis, reported multiple explosions and extensive aerial activity on Sunday afternoon, describing the bombardment as one of the most intense in recent weeks.

The escalation comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect in early October. Israeli officials have accused Hamas of repeated "ceasefire violations," including cross-line attacks beyond the designated "yellow line," which marks areas of IDF withdrawal. Hamas, however, has denied these claims, accusing Israel of fabricating justifications to restart military operations in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains sealed indefinitely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that the crossing would not reopen until Hamas returns the bodies of the remaining deceased hostages. Palestinian authorities, on the other hand, have accused Israel of breaching the truce 47 times since its implementation, leading to 38 deaths and 143 injuries.

The renewed military operations have intensified tensions around hostage negotiations and humanitarian relief efforts. International aid organizations continue to warn of worsening living conditions for civilians in southern Gaza, where shortages of essential supplies persist amid ongoing air operations.

The latest strikes underscore the volatility of the ceasefire and the growing uncertainty surrounding peace efforts, as both sides trade blame over escalating violence and stalled negotiations.