Israeli forces killed at least 20 Palestinians in attacks on the Gaza Strip after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered heavy strikes following a firefight in southern Rafah in which an Israeli soldier was wounded, Al Jazeera reports.

Tuesday’s strikes marked the most significant outbreak of violence since the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump on October 10 in the war-torn area.

The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and announced it would postpone the planned handover of the body of a missing hostage. The statement also warned that any escalation by Israel will complicate search, excavation, and body retrieval operations, leading to a delay in the return of the remains of the 13 hostages still in Gaza. Meanwhile, in Washington, US Vice President JD Vance insisted that the ceasefire was still holding despite attacks and accusations of violations from both sides.

Hamas denies any involvement in the aforesaid Rafah attack.