A fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Egypt between Israel and Hamas broke down after just 72 hours on Saturday as Israeli forces resumed airstrikes in Rafah following a Hamas rocket attack that killed three IDF soldiers near the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu said the military would respond with full force and held Hamas responsible for the breakdown of the agreement that had taken three weeks to negotiate.
Hamas said Israeli violations of ceasefire terms including continued operations in northern Gaza had prompted its response. Qatar expressed deep disappointment and said it would continue mediation efforts. The UN said 47 aid trucks lined up at the Rafah crossing were forced to turn back. US Secretary of State Blinken made urgent calls to Egyptian and Qatari counterparts to salvage the diplomatic process before further civilian casualties mount.
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