Israel has launched renewed airstrikes on Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaking the US-brokered ceasefire after two Israeli soldiers were killed on Sunday.
The truce, now in its second week, faces its biggest challenge since it took effect on October 11.
Israeli military officials said Hamas attacked troops in Rafah using rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire.
In response, Israel carried out multiple strikes in southern Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces identified the fallen soldiers as Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21 the first casualties since the ceasefire began.
According to Gaza’s hospitals, at least 44 Palestinians were killed in the strikes.
Medical data recorded deaths at al-Shifa, al-Awda, al-Aqsa, and Nasser hospitals, underscoring the escalating humanitarian toll.
Hamas, however, denied violating the truce.
Its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said it had no knowledge of clashes in Rafah and remained committed to the ceasefire “throughout all areas of the Gaza Strip.”
Despite the violence, Israeli officials confirmed that humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza will resume on Monday.
A senior Israeli source told CNN that the brief suspension would not affect overall aid operations.
However, the Rafah crossing remains closed until Hamas returns the bodies of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Defence Minister Israel Katz and military chiefs on Sunday.
After the meeting, Netanyahu ordered security forces to “act forcefully” against Hamas.
Katz warned that “Hamas will pay a heavy price for every violation of the ceasefire.”
Tensions within Israel’s government are also rising.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the decision to resume aid “a shameful backdown,” accusing the government of weakness despite Hamas’s continued defiance.
Meanwhile, Hamas said it had found the body of another Israeli hostage and would hand it over “if field conditions permit.”
The group warned that fresh Israeli airstrikes could delay ongoing recovery operations.
The situation remains tense as both sides exchange accusations of bad faith.
Hamas insists Israel violated the ceasefire by shooting Palestinians near the “Yellow Line,” while Israel says Hamas has delayed the handover of hostages’ remains.
So far, Hamas has returned 12 of the 28 bodies covered under the ceasefire deal.
The renewed violence threatens to unravel weeks of delicate diplomacy that brought temporary calm after months of intense fighting.
CNN.