Israel heavily bombs Gaza in major ceasefire violation

Attacks across war-torn strip leave at least 15 killed

By MEE staff

Published date: 19 October 2025

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-air-strikes-hit-rafah-amid-reports-clashes-abu-shabab-gang

Israeli air strikes hit several areas across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing at least 15 Palestinians, in the latest violation of the ceasefire.

Strikes were reported in Rafah and Khan Younis in the south, Jabalia in the north, and parts of central Gaza.

Among the sites hit were a cafe, a mobile phone charging station, and a group of journalists.

The Israeli military said the strikes were in response to an alleged "attack" by Palestinians on its troops in southern Rafah involving a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire.

There were no immediate reports of Israeli casualties. 

Middle East Eye could not independently verify the Israeli claim. 

The armed wing of Hamas, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, denied any knowledge of or connection to the alleged attack, which Israel said took place in an area under its control.

Hamas said it has had no contact with its fighters in that area since March.

“We have no involvement in any events occurring in those areas and cannot communicate with any of our fighters there, if any of them remain alive,” the group said in a statement, adding that it remains committed to the ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier that the army will take "firm action against terror targets in the Gaza Strip" after the alleged attack, which local media said took place beyond the so‑called “Yellow Line” - a demarcation inside Gaza where Israeli forces are stationed. 

Earlier, Israeli media reported an explosion in a military vehicle in Rafah, which was followed by air strikes in the area. The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear. 

Initial unconfirmed reports from both Israeli and Palestinian sources suggested the incident may have involved an attempted attack by Hamas on the Israeli-backed Yasser Abu Shabab gang. 

The militia has been accused of stealing humanitarian aid and attacking Palestinian civilians during Israel's two-year genocidal war on Gaza. 

Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich urged action after the incident. 

Ben Gvir called on Netanyahu to “renew full‑scale fighting in the Strip at full strength”, while Smotrich posted the single word “War!” on X.

Izzat al-Risheq, member of the Hamas' Political Bureau, said in a brief statement that the group was still committed to the ceasefire.

"Hamas movement reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and emphasises that the Zionist occupation is the party continuing to violate the agreement and fabricate baseless pretexts to justify its crimes," Risheq said. 

"Netanyahu’s attempts to evade and disavow his commitments come under pressure from his extremist terrorist coalition, in a bid to escape his responsibilities before the mediators and guarantors." 

Since the ceasefire came into effect on 11 October, Israeli forces have violated it around 50 times, including through artillery shelling, drone strikes, tank fire and quadcopter attacks.

More than 50 Palestinians have been killed in these incidents.

Israel has also violated other terms of the agreement, including restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and the continued closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.