The Israeli military launched a series of strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza following accusations that the militant group repeatedly breached its ceasefire agreement on Sunday.

An Israeli military representative confirmed the airstrikes to Fox News, citing ongoing attacks by Hamas since Friday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later announced their operations in Gaza.

“Earlier today, terrorists launched an anti-tank missile and opened fire on IDF troops working to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah region of southern Gaza, as per the terms of the ceasefire,” the IDF stated.

“In retaliation, the IDF has initiated strikes in the area to neutralize the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military facilities used for terrorist activities,” the statement added.

Military vehicles are positioned near the Israel-Gaza border during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in southern Israel on October 12, 2025. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

Israel has responded by striking areas in the north and south of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says he has instructed the minister of defense and other security heads to “act forcefully” in reaction to the attacks.

Hamas claims it has “no knowledge” of any attacks against Israeli forces, releasing a statement on Sunday saying it was still abiding by the terms of the agreement.

“We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip. We have no knowledge of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area,” the group wrote.

“We have no connection to any events occurring in those areas, nor can we communicate with any of our fighters there if any of them remain alive,” it added.

The reported attacks on Israeli troops come after Hamas spent days fighting Palestinian rival groups after the ceasefire went into effect.

In this still from a verified social media video confirmed to Reuters by a Hamas source, seven men are forced to their knees and shot from behind by Hamas gunmen during public executions in Gaza on Oct. 14, 2025. (Reuters)

According to Reuters, Hamas executed at least 33 people in recent days in what officials described as a campaign to “show strength” after the ceasefire. Israeli sources say most of those killed belonged to families accused of collaborating with Israel or supporting rival militias.

The U.S. Department of State warned on Saturday that Hamas may break the peace agreement with a “planned attack” on Palestinian civilians.

“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts,” the department said in a statement on social media. “The guarantors demand Hamas uphold its obligations under the ceasefire terms.”

Members of the Hamas militant group searching for bodies of the hostages in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

“The United States and the other guarantors remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole,” the statement continued.

President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Friday that continued attacks on Palestinians would force the U.S. and Israel to intervene.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” he wrote on X.