Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday directed the military to carry out what he described as “powerful strikes” in Gaza, following reports of renewed exchanges of fire with Hamas, a move that puts fresh strain on the US-brokered ceasefire.

According to an Associated Press report, Netanyahu’s order came after Hamas returned a set of remains that Israel said belonged to a hostage recovered earlier in the war. The prime minister called the return a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates that Hamas must hand over all Israeli hostage remains promptly.

The AP report cited an Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as saying that troops in the southern city of Rafah came under fire on Tuesday and returned fire. The Israeli army ha

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