Gaza says 30 killed as Israel launches new strikes despite ceasefire

At least 30 people were killed on Tuesday when Israeli forces carried out airstrikes across Gaza, as per reports. The attacks came despite a ceasefire that had been brokered by the United States to pause hostilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered the new round of bombardments after the Israeli military accused Hamas of breaching the truce and opening fire on its troops. Defence Minister Israel Katz also alleged that Hamas militants attacked Israeli positions inside Gaza.

Rescue officials said several areas were hit in the latest strikes. Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital reported that one explosion struck its rear compound, while five people were killed when their car was targeted.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hamas had said it would return the body of an Israeli hostage as required under the ongoing ceasefire terms.

To which Israel said on Tuesday that the remains handed over by Hamas on Monday night were in fact body parts belonging to a hostage whose body had already been recovered by the Israeli army around two years ago.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel regarded the handover as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, adding that a security meeting would be convened later on Tuesday with senior defence officials to discuss Israel’s response.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)