Hamas militants killed two Israeli soldiers in Rafah, violating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement before Israel responded with strikes and restored the truce.

Israel has accused Hamas of already violating the ceasefire deal by withholding the bodies of the remaining deceased hostages thought to have died during or after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction.

On Wednesday, Hamas had said it had handed over all the Israeli hostage remains it had been able to recover, and extensive efforts and special equipment would be required to find the remaining bodies.

The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it responded after "terrorists" attacked troops operating in the Rafah area with gunfire and an anti-tank missile. Hamas said it was unaware of the clashes.