Ceasefire Strains After Israeli Strikes Kill Two Soldiers

Israel launched airstrikes across southern Gaza after saying militants fired on IDF troops dismantling "terrorist infrastructure" in Rafah and killed two Israeli soldiers. The military said it had renewed enforcement of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and struck dozens of Hamas targets, including tunnels and weapons depots. Gaza health authorities and residents reported dozens of Palestinian deaths and many injuries from the strikes. Israeli authorities briefly halted humanitarian aid transfers and kept the Rafah crossing closed until further notice, though some outlets said aid might resume after U.S. pressure. Hamas denied responsibility for any breaches, said communications with units in Rafah had been cut and said talks over the next phase had begun; Israel identified the remains of two hostages recently returned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF vowed firm responses as both sides traded accusations, leaving the fragile ceasefire under strain.