Israel said Wednesday that it had reinstated a fragile ceasefire in Gaza after carrying out a series of powerful airstrikes that left more than 100 people dead, including dozens of children, according to health officials in the Hamas-run enclave. The move sparked an international outcry and drew sharp criticism from U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who accused Israel of committing war crimes.
"Israel's military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials," Greene wrote on X, citing Gaza's health ministry figures, which have not been independently verified. "46 CHILDREN!!! Are these not war crimes?" she added. The Georgia Republican's remarks marked one of the rare instances of a GOP lawmaker publicly condemning Israel's military actions, underscoring widening divisions in Washington over the ongoing conflict.
The Israeli military said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered "powerful" retaliatory strikes late Tuesday after reports that Hamas militants attacked Israeli troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the death of Master Sgt. (Reserve) Yona Efraim Feldbaum, a 37-year-old reservist who also held an American passport. Hamas denied involvement in the incident, calling Israel's strikes a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire and urging mediators to intervene.
Dr. Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesperson for Gaza's Health Ministry, told NBC News that more than 104 people had been killed, including over 40 children and 20 women. "More than 250 people, including more than 70 children, were also injured," he said. Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, confirmed the same figures. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defense agency, said the strikes "targeted homes, tents and gatherings in various cities," warning that the death toll "is expected to rise."
An Israeli military official told NBC News the assault was launched after "Hamas opened fire on soldiers in Rafah," though the claim has not been independently verified. The IDF described the operation as "the renewed enforcement" of the truce, emphasizing that Israel would "continue to act against any aggression."
President Donald Trump voiced support for Israel's actions, telling reporters aboard Air Force One, "The Israelis hit back, and they should hit back when that happens." He insisted the ceasefire remained intact and added, "They said they would be good, and if they're good they're going to be happy. And if they're not good, they're going to be terminated." Vice President JD Vance echoed that assessment, saying the "ceasefire is holding," though "that doesn't mean there aren't going to be little skirmishes here and there."
The renewed escalation came as tensions flared over the return of hostage remains. Israel accused Hamas of breaching the truce after returning body parts that were later identified as belonging to Ofir Tzarfati, whose remains had already been repatriated two years earlier. The Israeli military released footage it said showed Hamas staging a "fake recovery" operation, appearing to bury and then unearth a white-shrouded body before international observers arrived.
In a statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross said its personnel "were not aware that a deceased person had been placed there prior to their arrival, as seen in the footage," adding that the alleged deception was "unacceptable." Hamas has not commented on the incident.
