Israeli outlets said militants fired on soldiers at a base in Rafah without causing injuries, prompting Israeli air raids in the area. Local media added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense minister and senior officials held a phone assessment on the army’s response and next steps in Gaza.
If confirmed, the strikes would mark a violation of the truce agreed on Oct. 10, which included freeing prisoners and hostages and an Israeli pullback from the Gaza Strip. U.S. President Donald Trump, and leaders of Egypt and Qatar, were cited as guarantors of the halt in fighting.
Palestinian authorities say Israel has violated the truce 47 times since Sept. 10, with 38 Palestinians killed and 143 wounded. Israel has said the Rafah crossing will remain closed to humanitarian traffic until it receives the bodies of all hostages from Hamas.
Palestinian leaders have so far handed over 12 of 28 bodies, the reports said. Under the truce arrangements, Hamas released 20 Israeli hostages and Israel freed more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
(jh)
Source: PAP, Reuters, Polskie Radio 24