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At least 104 people, including 46 children and 20 women, were killed during Israel's strikes in Gaza, health authorities confirmed to CNN on Wednesday (October 29).
The strikes took place Tuesday (October 28) night after the Israel Defense Forces accused Hamas of killing a soldier and faking the discovery of a deceased hostage, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructing the military to carry out “immediate, powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip" in retaliation. A U.S. official confirmed to CNN that the U.S. was notified of Israel's decision to launch what served as the deadliest strike since the ceasefire agreement championed by President Donald Trump.
The IDF said it would resume the ceasefire agreement with Gaza on Wednesday, but planned to “respond forcefully to any violation.” Hamas referred to the airstrike as "criminal bombardment" committed by Israel and a violation of the ceasefire agreement, while also denying the alleged attacks on Israeli soldiers.
Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital, described the situation as "catastrophic" in a statement to CNN.
“There are no medicines or medical supplies to treat the wounded and the sick," he said.
The IDF identified the soldier killed as Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, who was a member of the Combat Engineering Corps in the Gaza Division. Feldbaum was reported to have died during combat in southern Gaza, according to the IDF.
A military official claimed Hamas has attacked Israeli troops east of the yellow line separating Israeli-occupied Gaza from the rest of the territory, with Trump showing his continued support.
“They killed an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis hit back,” Trump said without specifically naming Hamas while addressing reporters on Air Force One via CNN.
Hamas reasserted itself into authority in Gaza despite the recent ceasefire deal. The militant group deployed armed police on the streets after Israeli forces had withdrawn in adherence with the peace deal after reports that it clashed with rival clans, fired upon and killed Israeli troops during multiple incidents and carried out at least one public execution of suspected collaborators since the ceasefire deal was announced earlier this month.
The Israeli military conducted strikes against Hamas in Gaza on October 19 amid claims that the militant group violated its ceasefire agreement by carrying out "multiple attacks" since October 17. An Israeli military official initially confirmed the strikes in a statement to FOX News, citing prior alleged attacks by Hamas, before the IDF issued a statement confirming that it was taking actions in Gaza later in the day.