Despite ceasefire, Israeli strikes kill 91 in Gaza, including dozens of children

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 91 people, including dozens of children, hospital officials said Wednesday, the highest toll since the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump began.

The overnight strikes on Tuesday followed Israel’s accusation that Hamas was behind the killing of an Israeli soldier and had staged the discovery of a dead hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “immediate, powerful strikes” in response, his office said, adding that the US had been informed in advance.

The Israeli military later said it would resume the ceasefire but would continue to “respond forcefully to any violation.”

Hamas condemned the attacks as a “criminal bombardment” that violated the truce, denied targeting Israeli troops, and reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire.

Hospitals in Gaza reported that at least 91 people were killed, half of them children, and warned that the humanitarian situation was “catastrophic” due to shortages of medicine and medical supplies.

Commenting on the incident aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea, President Trump said his understanding was that “they killed an Israeli soldier,” and that “the Israelis hit back,” adding that “nothing’s going to jeopardize the ceasefire.”