On Sunday, Israel launched a wave of heavy airstrikes across Gaza, killing at least 45 Palestinians in the deadliest day of violence since a recent ceasefire. The Israeli military justified the escalation by alleging its troops were attacked by Hamas militants in Rafah. However, this narrative was widely contradicted. Hamas denied any involvement, stating it had no operational presence in the area, and U.S. media reports cited sources claiming the initial explosion was caused by an Israeli vehicle detonating unexploded ordnance.

Despite the conflicting accounts, the bombardment proceeded, primarily targeting central and southern Gaza and killing civilians, including children. Following the strikes, the IDF announced it had “begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,” even though Israel has repeatedly violated the truce, including a strike days prior that killed 11 members of one family. The incident underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the severe human cost of its collapse.

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