Israel launches airstrikes in Gaza after attacks on IDF troops; Trump-backed ceasefire in jeopardy

Israel reportedly launched a fresh wave of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday after terrorist attacks hit Israel Defense Forces personnel in the area.

The renewed clashes threaten to unravel the Israel–Hamas ceasefire agreement, backed by President Trump, that went into effect just over a week ago.

The IDF did not immediately comment on the airstrikes. But Israeli media and other news outlets reported that airstrikes targeted the Rafah area in southern Gaza. Citing witnesses on the ground, Reuters reported heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks in the eastern town of Abassan near Khan Younis, also in southern Gaza.

The Israeli operations come on the heels of apparent terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers in Gaza. The leadership of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has tried to distance itself from those incidents.

In a statement Saturday, the IDF said that terrorists attacked Israeli troops in Khan Younis, the first in a string of reported assaults on Israeli personnel.

“Several terrorists exited a tunnel shaft in the Rafah area and opened fire toward IDF troops, no injuries to the troops were reported,” the Israeli military said. “IDF troops are deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove immediate threats.”

There were additional grenade and sniper attacks on Israeli personnel in Gaza over the weekend, according to media reports citing Israeli military officials.

Separately, the Trump administration warned Saturday in a statement that it has credible reports Hamas could be planning to launch new attacks on Palestinian civilians.

“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” the State Department said.

The tensions in Gaza come as Hamas is returning the remains of hostages to Israel, a key condition of the ceasefire. Those hostages were taken during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on southern Israel, which sparked the two-year Israeli military operation in the region.

In Israel, some key political figures said the latest attacks on Israeli forces necessitate a strong response.

“Hamas’s attack in Gaza demands a resolute response — only this way are the rules of the game set,” said Yair Golan, leader of the country’s Democrats political party.

“Absolute victory in the Gaza Strip requires building a moderate alternative government to Hamas — an issue that the government has abandoned and chosen absolute failure,” Mr. Golan posted on X, according to an English-language translation.

With the ceasefire seemingly in jeopardy, Mr. Trump warned Hamas against targeting Palestinian civilians. The Iran-backed terror group reportedly is targeting individuals who may have collaborated with Israel over the past two years.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” the president posted on social media last week.