Gaza Violence Threatens Fragile Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

On Sunday, tensions erupted in Gaza as Israeli forces clashed with Hamas militants in the Rafah area. The Israel Defense Forces reported responding to "terrorists" who attacked troops with gunfire and an anti-tank missile. Yet Hamas officials claimed no knowledge of the clashes, creating conflicting accounts of the incident.

"Our troops responded to direct attacks in Rafah," an Israeli military spokesperson stated, while a Hamas representative countered: "We were not involved in any such confrontations."

This sudden escalation comes amid deep concern for a fragile ceasefire that took effect just days ago. Israel's government confirmed its forces retaliated against attacks by Hamas militants in southern Gaza, threatening to unravel the hard-won truce that had brought temporary relief to the region.

International observers had hoped the ceasefire would last longer than previous attempts, but renewed violence now casts doubt on its sustainability. Local residents expressed fears of returning to full-scale conflict, with some reporting hearing explosions near the Israel-Gaza border.

Both sides continue to blame each other for breaching the ceasefire agreement, raising concerns among global diplomats working to mediate the long-standing conflict. The United Nations urged immediate de-escalation as humanitarian organizations prepare for potential displacement of civilians.

Read the full story on NPR.