Israel Strikes Back in Gaza After Militant Attack, Ceasefire on Thin Ice

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{ "title": "Israel Strikes Back in Gaza After Militant Attack, Ceasefire on Thin Ice", "article": Israel has launched a retaliatory airstrike in southern Gaza following an attack by militants that wounded five Israeli soldiers. The strike, carried out late Wednesday, has raised concerns about the fragile ceasefire that has held up since early October. The ceasefire, brokered by the US, aims to bring an end to the war sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The attack killed over 1,200 people and left 251 hostages. Since then, there have been repeated accusations of ceasefire violations by both Israel and Hamas. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had broken the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers in an area under their control. The militants emerged from an underground tunnel and opened fire, wounding five soldiers. In retaliation, Israel launched an airstrike in Khan Younis, which was condemned by Hamas. The strike is the latest in a series of airstrikes that have killed over 137 people in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Despite the ceasefire, there have been ongoing disputes over the return of hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has released the remains of 20 hostages and the bodies of 15 Palestinians in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The US has welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing, which is expected to allow thousands of Palestinians to leave Gaza for medical care. However, Egypt has expressed concerns that Palestinians who leave Gaza may not be able to return. The ceasefire also calls for the creation of an international stabilization force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of Hamas. However, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the deal, it remains to be seen whether the ceasefire will hold. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported over 360 Palestinian fatalities since the ceasefire began, with many more injured. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with a lack of access to medical care and basic necessities. The situation in Gaza remains highly volatile, with both sides dug in and refusing to back down. The international community is watching closely, hoping that the ceasefire will hold and bring an end to the suffering of the people of Gaza. In related news, the remains of what could be one of the last hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel earlier Wednesday. The remains will be examined by forensic experts to determine their identity. The Israeli military has also announced that it will coordinate with Egypt on the exit of Palestinians from Gaza, with the supervision of a European Union mission. Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza will require Israeli security approval. The US State Department has welcomed the opening of the crossing, saying it will afford the most vulnerable Gazans access to better medical care. However, the crossing will only be open for Palestinians seeking to leave Gaza, not those seeking to return. Egypt has expressed concerns that Palestinians who leave Gaza may not be able to return, and has warned that Israel may be trying to permanently expel people from Gaza as a way to eliminate the Palestinian cause for statehood. The Rafah crossing was sealed off in May 2024 when Israel's military invaded the area, and was briefly opened in February this year as part of a previous ceasefire for the evacuation of sick and wounded Palestinians.