Rafah, Gaza – Tensions flared again in southern Gaza as Israel carried out airstrikes on Rafah and nearby areas, just days after a ceasefire brokered by the United States took effect, according to Israeli Channel 12 and Reuters reports.
The fragile truce, which had brought a brief pause to weeks of hostilities, now appears to be on the verge of collapse. Washington has accused Hamas of preparing new attacks in disputed territories, further straining efforts to maintain calm.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war would continue until Hamas is fully disarmed and Gaza is demilitarized.
“When that is successfully completed — hopefully in an easy way, but if not, in a hard way — then the war will end,” Netanyahu said during an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Saturday.
According to the Times of Israel, clashes erupted when “terror operatives” allegedly attacked Israeli troops in Rafah, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to respond with airstrikes. Local media described the explosions as powerful enough to shake the ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu reportedly held emergency discussions with Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military officials to assess the situation, Channel 12 reported.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan confirmed that the air force struck several targets in Rafah and southern Gaza. The IDF later said that “several terrorists” had opened fire on soldiers in Rafah but caused no injuries. Another group approaching troops in Khan Younis was also targeted, the military added, emphasizing it would “continue operations to remove immediate threats.”
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Civil Defence agency, which operates under Hamas authorities, said rescue teams recovered nine bodies, including four children and three women, after Israeli forces allegedly fired two tank shells at a civilian bus on Saturday.
The renewed strikes highlight the fragility of the ceasefire and raise concerns about whether diplomatic efforts can prevent another full-scale escalation in the Gaza Strip.
