The Israeli military launched an attack on Gaza on Sunday, Israeli media and residents reported, dimming hopes that a U.S.-mediated ceasefire would lead to lasting peace in the enclave as Israel traded blame with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel's attacks on Sunday were the most serious test of an already fragile ceasefire, which took effect

on October 11. Palestinians in Gaza told Reuters they heard explosions and gunfire in Rafah in the south of the strip and witnesses separately reported heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks in the eastern town of Abassan near Khan Younis, also in southern Gaza.

Witnesses in Khan Younis heard a wave of airstrikes launched into Rafah early on Sunday afternoon. An Israeli government spokesperson, when asked for confirmation of the attacks, deferred

See Full Page