Israel confirms strikes in Gaza after 'blatant violation' of ceasefire by Hamas

The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel faced its first major test on Sunday, after the two sides exchanged fire and accused each other of violating the deal.

Israel said it struck “dozens of Hamas terror targets” in response to the militant group’s “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement this morning,” according to a statement Sunday from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the social platform X.

The IDF said its targets included “weapons storage facilities, firing posts, terrorist cells and additional Hamas terror infrastructure” and that its forces “struck and dismantled” approximately 6 kilometers of “underground terrorist infrastructure.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said two Israeli soldiers died as a result of Hamas’s attack in Rafah.

Hamas blamed Israel for multiple ceasefire violations but said its communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months, adding, “We are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas,” The Associated Press reported.

Israel said it resumed enforcement of the ceasefire later Sunday.

“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of significant strikes in response to Hamas’ violations, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire, in line with the terms of the agreement,” the IDF said in a statement.

“The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it."

An Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into Gaza was halted briefly on Sunday but that aid deliveries would resume on Monday.