British News Agency

Israel described the attacks as violations of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Hamas on Tuesday of attacking Israeli soldiers in Gaza and violating the conditions for the return of the bodies of deceased hostages. Hamas claimed it had "no connection" to the attack and reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump argued that nothing threatens the truce but added that Israel "must respond" if its soldiers are targeted.

The Israeli strikes hit homes, schools, and residential areas in Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Al-Bureij, Nuseirat, and Khan Yunis.

In a brief statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Tuesday evening, it was announced that Netanyahu had ordered the military to carry out a "strong attack," though no reasons were given.

However, Katz said that Hamas had "crossed a sharp red line" by attacking Israeli soldiers in Gaza on Tuesday.

Israeli media reported that soldiers in Rafah, southern Gaza, came under anti-tank missile and sniper fire on Tuesday afternoon, while Palestinian media simultaneously reported Israeli artillery fire in the area.

After the Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday evening, witnesses reported powerful explosions in several parts of the region, including Gaza City in the north and Khan Yunis in the south.

Hamas issued a statement denying claims that its fighters attacked Israeli forces and condemned the Israeli strikes.

The statement read: "Hamas has no connection to the armed attack in Rafah and reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. The criminal bombardment carried out by the fascist occupying [Israeli] army in parts of the Gaza Strip constitutes a clear violation of the agreement."

Meanwhile, the group’s military wing announced that it would delay the return of the body of a hostage captured on Tuesday, citing Israel’s "violations" as the reason.

U.S. Vice President Vance told reporters in Washington: "The ceasefire continues. That doesn’t mean there won’t be small skirmishes here and there."

"We know someone from Hamas or elsewhere in Gaza attacked an [Israeli] soldier. We expect the Israelis to respond, but we still believe the president’s peace will hold."