Israel attacks Gaza, blames Hamas for threatening ceasefire

The Israeli military launched an attack on Gaza on Sunday, Israeli media and residents reported, dimming hopes that a US-mediated ceasefire would lead to lasting peace in the enclave as Israel traded blame with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel’s attacks on Sunday were the most serious test of an already fragile ceasefire, which took effect on October 11.

Palestinians in Gaza told reporters they heard explosions and gunfire in Rafah in the south of the strip, while witnesses separately reported heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks in the eastern town of Abassan near Khan Younis, also in southern Gaza.

Witnesses in Khan Younis heard a wave of air strikes launched into Rafah early on Sunday afternoon.

An Israeli government spokesperson, when asked for confirmation of the attacks, deferred to the military. The military had no immediate comment.

Local health authorities in Gaza said on Sunday two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the eastern Jabalia area of northern Gaza.