Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip after determining that three bodies handed over by Hamas were not among the hostages held in the enclave, the Israeli military confirmed on Saturday.

According to security sources cited by Agence France-Presse, loud explosions and bursts of gunfire were reported near the southern city of Khan Younis, where Israeli aircraft targeted suspected militant sites and tunnels.

The strikes came just hours after Israel halted the process of receiving the bodies, which Hamas claimed belonged to hostages taken during earlier clashes. Israeli forensic experts later concluded the remains were unrelated to any of the identified captives.

Military officials said they had suspected the bodies might not be genuine hostage remains even before the forensic results, emphasizing that Hamas has repeatedly provided misleading information during ongoing negotiations.

This latest incident follows multiple failed exchanges and further complicates efforts to revive the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since early October.

The renewed bombardment underscores the growing mistrust between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the truce and obstructing humanitarian coordination.

International mediators, including Egypt and Qatar, have urged restraint as fears rise that the cycle of miscommunication and retaliation could reignite a broader conflict in Gaza.

MENAFN02112025000228011069ID1110282136