Israel-Gaza latest: Netanyahu’s military strikes targets leaving ceasefire in tatters

Hamas delayed the hand over of another hostage on Tuesday after Israel revealed its plans to strike Gaza.

Hamas’s armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, announced the postponement, citing what it said were Israel’s violations of the ceasefire.

The body was said to have been recovered from a tunnel on Tuesday.

A white body bag was witnessed being carried out from a tunnel by several men, including some masked militants in Khan Younis.

It was not immediately clear what was in the bag, which was then transported into an ambulance.

Israel has accused Hamas of intentionally putting the body in soil and excavating it.

At least eight people have been killed in Israel’s strikes on Tuesday, according to local health authorities.

Three people are said to have died in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood and five people in a car which was targeted in Khan Younis.

Dozens are said to have been injured in airstrikes which have hit homes and a courtyard of Shifa Hospital, the largest operational hospital in northern Gaza, along with other areas in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis have also been struck.

US Vice President JD Vance said the ceasefire is still holding despite Israel’s attacks on Gaza on Tuesday.

“The ceasefire is holding. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be little skirmishes here and there,” he told reporters.

“We know that Hamas or somebody else within Gaza attacked an (Israeli military) soldier.

“We expect the Israelis are going to respond, but I think the President’s peace is going to hold despite that.”

Military officials accused Hamas of opening fire on Israeli troops on Tuesday, which prompted its attack.

Hamas has denied any involvement.

Three Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Tuesday, a spokesman for Hamas’s Civil Defence told the BBC.

Dozens have reportedly been injured in a series of airstrikes that have hit homes and a courtyard of Shifa Hospital, the largest operational hospital in northern Gaza. Various other areas in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis have also been struck.

Israel notified the US before it launched its latest strikes on Gaza, two US officials told the Associated Press.

Donald Trump said on Saturday he would be watching Hamas’ return of the deceased hostages “very closely” over the following days.

He is yet to comment on Tuesday’s strikes.

Hamas has denied having any connection to the attack on Israeli forces that impelled Israel to launch attacks in Gaza.

Israeli officials claim Hamas opened fire on troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Hamas has refuted any involvement and said it was still committed to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, said Hamas “will pay a heavy price” for attacking IDF soldiers in Rafah on Tuesday, and for “violating the agreement to return the fallen hostages.”

“The attack on IDF soldiers in Gaza today by the Hamas terrorist organisation is crossing a bright red line to which the IDF will respond with great force.

“Hamas will pay with compound interest for attacking the soldiers and violating the agreement to return the fallen hostages,” Katz says.

Hamas said it has no connection to the attack.

An Israeli military official said Israeli troops returned fire after being shot at in the southern city of Rafah.

At least two people are dead and four after Israeli struck a neighbourhood south of Gaza City, according to Gaza’s civil defence.