Israeli Strikes Kill 100+ in Gaza, Truce Threatened

Israel carried out heavy overnight airstrikes across Gaza that local health officials said killed at least 104 people, including dozens of children, in the deadliest strikes since the ceasefire began and a major challenge to the truce. Israeli leaders said the strikes were ordered in response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas — including a shooting in Rafah that they say killed an Israeli soldier and what Israel describes as the handover of partial remains of a hostage — and vowed to respond firmly to further breaches. Hamas denied responsibility for the Rafah shooting, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, and said it would delay returning another hostage’s remains. The exchanges have raised fears the fragile truce could unravel as mediators and guarantor states face pressure to contain the escalation; U.S. President Donald Trump publicly defended Israel’s right to respond. Separately, a new Knesset report revealed a sharp rise in suicides and suicide attempts among Israeli soldiers since the Gaza war began, prompting calls to expand psychological support for troops.