Ceasefire Strained After Israeli Soldiers Killed, Airstrikes Resume

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire and initial exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners has begun but is fraying after renewed violence. Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers — Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26, and St.-Sgt. Itay Yavetz, 21 — were killed and a third wounded in Rafah after militants reportedly emerged from a tunnel and fired on troops, an incident Israel called a "blatant violation." Israel launched renewed airstrikes across Gaza, temporarily halted humanitarian aid deliveries, and the IDF said it struck dozens of Hamas targets and dismantled tunnel infrastructure. Gaza health authorities and hospitals reported dozens of Palestinian deaths from the strikes (estimates roughly 19–45 killed) and widespread injuries, while Hamas denied responsibility and accused Israel of fabricating pretexts. Regional mediators and U.S. envoys were reported scrambling to de-escalate and resume aid, and analysts and Israeli security officials warned the nine-day truce is fragile given ongoing tunnel activity, disputes over hostages and repeated local violations.