The Israeli army carried out a series of airstrikes on southern Gaza on Tuesday evening, citing alleged gunfire against its forces.

According to Israeli state media, militants fired anti-tank rockets and sniper shots at soldiers in the city of Rafah, with the army reportedly conducting operations to secure and control the area.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the army had been ordered to launch immediate, strong strikes on Gaza following security consultations, accusing the Hamas movement of violating the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, announced the postponement of the handover of an Israeli prisoner’s body, citing “repeated violations by the occupation” as the reason for the delay.