Israel launched another airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing at least 104 Palestinians in an overnight attack that escalated tensions in West Asia. Among the victims were several children. The latest strike has emerged as the biggest test yet to the shaky ceasefire brokered by the United States.
The Israeli military said the target was a “military infrastructure” in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, where weapons were allegedly being prepared for an imminent attack. Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirmed receiving two bodies from the bombing. This strike followed heavy shelling that had already taken place on Tuesday night.
Israel says it will stick to ceasefire after deadly strike
After the assault, Israel announced it was once again adhering to the ceasefire. US officials also suggested they did not see the truce as officially broken. However, doubts have grown over Israel’s commitment to the agreement, which bans both parties from launching attacks.
What made the timing more striking was that the assault occurred only hours after US President Donald Trump said “nothing would jeopardise” his ceasefire deal. The Israeli military later released an infographic showing that 25 “terrorists” had been killed in Gaza during the last 24 hours but did not clarify the identities of the other 79 victims.
Ceasefire shaken as Gaza mourns its dead
The strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday destroyed the brief calm Palestinians had felt since the ceasefire began. Funerals for the victims were held at hospitals across Gaza, where some bodies were carried in by grieving relatives.
Despite the bloodshed, the Israeli military stated that it would continue to respect the ceasefire but would respond “firmly to any violation.” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein accused Hamas of being responsible for the violence and claimed the group was “using civilians as human shields,” which caused the high civilian toll.
Hamas accuses Israel of breaking the deal
Hamas, in response, accused Israel of trying to “undermine the ceasefire and impose new realities by force.” The group maintained that it would still honor the agreement. “Among these attacks was the targeting of a cancer patient camp, the Insan camp,” said Dr. Mohammed al-Mughir, director of humanitarian support and international cooperation at Gaza’s civil defence agency.
Netanyahu’s order and the hostage issue
The Israeli airstrikes were reportedly ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a firefight between Palestinian militants and Israeli soldiers. The incident also came amid public anger in Israel after Hamas returned body parts of a hostage whose remains the Israeli army had found two years earlier.
In protest, Hamas delayed the planned return of another hostage’s remains, which was due to happen on Tuesday night. The group denied any role in the earlier gunfight.
US calls ceasefire “intact” despite clashes
Meanwhile, US Vice-President JD Vance said the ceasefire was “holding” despite “skirmishes.” President Trump echoed the same message but also defended Israel’s actions. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “They killed an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back. And they should hit back.”
Fragile calm continues
The situation in West Asia remains tense, with the ceasefire hanging by a thread. Despite reassurances from Washington, ongoing violence and mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas have left the region on edge.