Fresh outbreak of violence on Gaza Strip
‘Botched’ Israeli raid threatens unofficial ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

A “botched” undercover Israeli special forces operation in Gaza that left eight people dead has sparked a string of rocket and mortar attacks between Israel and Palestinian militants.
Israeli special forces killed seven Hamas militants and lost a lieutenant colonel during the raid late on Sunday night, the “first known ground incursion there by Israeli forces since the last war in 2014”, The Guardian reports.
In response, Palestinian militants reportedly launched more than 300 rockets and mortars into Israel, with at least one anti-tank missile hitting an Israeli bus, causing several injuries.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Islamic Jihad spokesman, Daoud Shehab, told local media that the retaliatory rocket attacks were to show “the occupation and its supporters know that the lives of our sons come with a price”.
Israeli Major General Kamil Abu Rukun said that Hamas “has crossed a red line” and Israel would “continue to respond with an iron fist against all terrorist activity or rocket fire”.
Israel launched at least 70 rockets into Palestinian controlled territory during the tit-for-tat violence overnight.
The fresh outbreak of violence has threatened an unofficial ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants, which both sides have said is required to prevent another war over the disputed territories.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 30, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: March 30, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Israel detains director after West Bank settler clash
speed read The director of Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' was arrested and beaten
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Israel strikes Gaza, breaking ceasefire
Speed Read 326 Palestinians were killed in the first major attack since Netanyahu's government signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arab leaders embrace Egypt's Gaza rebuilding plan
Speed Read The $53 billion proposal would rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinian residents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mountains of garbage are creating more hazards in Gaza
under the radar Gaza was already creating 1,700 tons of waste daily prior to the war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published