Israel has launched airstrikes on the Gaza strip after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had violated the ceasefire agreement. Hamas is accused of handing over remains that were not those of an Israeli hostage slated for return as part of the peace deal.

Under the terms of the deal, all 48 hostages were to be returned to Israel by October 13. But Hamas has delayed doing so.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced on Tuesday that Hamas had handed over the remains of a hostage the previous day. But it said detailed tests found that it did not belong to any of the remaining deceased hostages.

Shosh Bedrosian, Israeli government spokesperson, said, "We are fully aware and have knowledge that Hamas can locate and retrieve the remains of our 13 deceased hostages that are still in Gaza right now."

Israel has responded with airstrikes. Reuters reported that local health authorities said at least 26 people were killed in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has issued a statement saying it will postpone the planned handover of a deceased hostage on Tuesday due to Israel's violations of the peace deal. The statement stressed that Israeli military escalation will hinder the search and retrieval of the bodies.

The United States is urging both sides to maintain the ceasefire and implement its peace plan.

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