Israel launches strikes on Gaza after Netanyahu orders ‘powerful’ attacks – live updates

Cachella Smith
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Less than three weeks after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, Israel has launched fresh strikes on the territory after both sides accused one another of violating the fragile truce.

The strikes followed an order from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “powerful” attacks after his office said a coffin handed over by Hamas on Monday did not contain the body of an additional deceased hostage but rather remains of Ofir Tzarfati whose body was recovered by Israeli forces in late 2023.

Since those strikes were carried out, the Hamas-affiliated Gaza Civil Defence agency has said that nine people have been killed – including four women, three men and two children.

The Israeli military has been approached by the BBC for comment on the reported killings.

Meanwhile, Hamas has said it will postpone a planned handover of another dead hostage “due to violations” of the ceasefire plan by Israel.

The US – which helped broker the deal – maintains that the ceasefire is “holding”. But even Vice-President JD Vance acknowledged the delicate nature of the agreement, as he added: “that doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be little skirmishes here and there.”

Since the deal was agreed to at the start of the month, there’s been more than one round of strikes on Gaza – while Israel has criticised the length of time it is taking Hamas to return the remaining dead hostages.

We’re ending our live coverage for the day, but you can keep across further updates in our main news story.