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At least 104 people, including 46 children, were killed overnight in Gaza after Israel carried out a series of airstrikes, according to hospital officials. The attacks followed Israel’s claim that one of its soldiers was killed on Tuesday afternoon by “enemy fire.”
These are the deadliest strikes since a ceasefire was agreed earlier this month. The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that the truce had been reinstated after operations targeting what it described as “terror sites and terrorists” inside Gaza.
In response, Hamas said it would delay returning the body of another hostage. Israel stated that its forces targeted “30 terrorists holding command roles within militant organisations” and vowed to continue respecting the ceasefire while responding “firmly” to any violations.
US President Donald Trump defended Israel’s actions, saying the strikes were justified after what he called an attack in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, in which Hamas allegedly killed an Israeli soldier. Hamas has denied responsibility and accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire.
Heavy civilian casualties
Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed that 21 bodies were received from the latest bombardments, including seven women and six children. He warned that the death toll could rise, as many of the 45 injured remain in critical condition, among them 20 children.
Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported receiving 10 bodies, including three women and six children, following two airstrikes in the area. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received 20 bodies, among them 13 children and two women, after five separate strikes. Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza reported 30 deaths, including 14 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after troops came under fire in southern Gaza. The decision followed Hamas’s handover of body parts that Israel said belonged to a hostage whose remains were previously recovered. Netanyahu called the move a “clear violation” of the ceasefire, which requires Hamas to release all remaining hostages.
Israel also accused Hamas of manipulating the discovery, releasing a 14-minute drone video as evidence.
Trump expresses confidence in ceasefire
US officials confirmed that Israel informed Washington before conducting the strikes. President Trump told reporters that Israel “should hit back” when attacked but added he was confident the ceasefire would hold.
“Hamas represents only a small part of the wider Middle East peace process,” Trump said, warning that if the group acts irresponsibly, it would be “terminated.”
Israeli officials identified the soldier killed as Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, who died after “enemy fire” hit his vehicle while troops were dismantling tunnels and Hamas infrastructure in southern Gaza. Hamas has again denied involvement in the incident and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the ceasefire.
