TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military launched airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking a significant challenge to a recently brokered ceasefire. The strikes followed reports that Hamas militants fired upon Israeli soldiers in an area still under Israeli control. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened security officials and instructed the military to respond decisively to any violations of the ceasefire, although he did not indicate an intention to resume full-scale conflict.

Hamas denied involvement in the reported clashes in Rafah, asserting that it was not responsible for the gunfire directed at Israeli troops. The military action coincided with Israel's identification of the remains of two hostages released by Hamas. The hostages were Ronen Engel, a father of three, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker, both believed to have been killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

In a related development, Israel has threatened to keep the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed indefinitely. Netanyahu's office stated that the reopening of the crossing hinges on Hamas's compliance with its obligations under the ceasefire, particularly the return of the remains of all 28 deceased hostages. Over the past week, Hamas has returned the remains of 13 bodies, with 12 identified as hostages. However, Israel noted that one of the returned bodies did not belong to a hostage.

In contrast, Israel has released 150 bodies of Palestinians back to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under Hamas, has reported that only 25 of the bodies have been identified, with many showing signs of decomposition and trauma. The Health Ministry has made efforts to assist families in locating their loved ones by posting photos online.

The ongoing negotiations for the ceasefire, initially proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, have included discussions on the exchange of hostages and the opening of humanitarian aid routes. The next phases of the ceasefire are expected to address disarming Hamas and the future governance of Gaza.

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported that no injuries occurred during the gunfire incident in Rafah. A senior Hamas official refuted claims of their involvement, as both sides have accused each other of breaching the fragile ceasefire.

Hamas has indicated that discussions with mediators regarding the second phase of the ceasefire are underway. Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, stated that this phase requires national consensus and that the group is working to solidify its positions. He emphasized that Hamas would not participate in any ruling authority in a postwar Gaza.

The Rafah border crossing remains a critical issue, as its closure has hindered the movement of people and goods. Hamas has claimed it requires specialized equipment to locate additional hostages' bodies, while Israel believes that Hamas has access to more remains than it has returned.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 68,000 Palestinian deaths, a figure supported by various international agencies. Israel has disputed these numbers without providing its own estimates. The Red Cross has also reported thousands of missing persons.

In a separate statement, Hamas rejected claims from the U.S. State Department regarding an imminent attack against Gaza residents, labeling the allegations as false. The group accused Israel of supporting armed factions operating in areas under its control and called for U.S. intervention to halt such support.

As tensions continue, Hamas has engaged in confrontations with armed groups in eastern Gaza City, which it accuses of looting aid and collaborating with Israel. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry stated that its forces are working to restore order in areas vacated by Israeli military forces following the ceasefire.