Heavy gunfire and explosions reported in Gaza’s south
There are reports of gunfire in Rafah in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt.
It’s not really clear what’s happening, but in the past 30 minutes, we’ve received information of an exchange of fire between Israeli soldiers and fighters from the Gaza Strip.
Then, artillery shelling started and explosions were heard in Rafah and the eastern part of Khan Younis city. We also have reports that one Israeli soldier was injured.
Palestinians here are frustrated that this could lead to an intensification of fighting during the fragile ceasefire – more Israeli air strikes, more bombardment. People are very frightened that this will be the end of the ceasefire.
Israel’s PM Netanyahu orders immediate ‘powerful strikes’ on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out intense strikes on the Gaza Strip after accusing Hamas of violating the US-brokered ceasefire.
“Following security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the military to immediately carry out powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” a statement from his office said.
Latest fighting in south Gaza underscores ceasefire’s fragility
In a sign of the fragility of the ceasefire, Israeli troops were shot at in the southern city of Rafah on Tuesday and returned fire, an unnamed Israeli military official told The Associated Press.
As Prime Minister Netanyahu and security officials weigh a possible response to alleged truce violations, Israeli media reported options could include halting the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza, expanding Israeli control of the Palestinian territory, or carrying out air strikes targeting Hamas leaders.
There are still 13 bodies of captives in Gaza. Hamas said earlier it recovered the remains of an abductee that it plans to hand over this evening.
An AP videographer in Khan Younis witnessed what appeared to be a white body bag being carried out from a tunnel by several men, including some masked fighters, and then transported into an ambulance.
