KATHMANDU: Explosions and gunfire have erupted in Gaza as Israel resumes military action against Hamas, citing the group’s violation of the terms of a recently concluded seven-day truce.

At least six Palestinians were killed Friday morning in an Israeli air raid in Rafah city, a city in southern Gaza, a spokesman from the Hamas-run health ministry told AFP.

Separately, two children were killed in air raids on Gaza City in the north, the news agency said, quoting Fadel Naim, a doctor with Al-Ahli hospital.

During the truce period, 110 hostages held by Hamas and 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel were released. Despite these efforts, hostilities have resumed, prompting ongoing mediation efforts to reach a new agreement between the conflicting parties.

Hamas had previously attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 individuals. Since then, Israel’s retaliatory campaign, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, has led to over 14,800 casualties, including about 6,000 children.

As the situation unfolds, top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken, currently in the Middle East, has communicated to Israel the necessity of taking “more effective steps” to safeguard civilian lives. The region remains tense, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the escalating conflict.

(With inputs from BBC)