Israel’s intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip this week marked the most serious challenge yet for a fragile, U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

The U.S. offered Hamas militants safe passage from areas in Gaza controlled by Israel to parts the group controls, U.S. and Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: The goal of the U.S. proposal,

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 104 people, including dozens of children, the enclave’s health authorities said on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day since the beginning of the ceasefire championed by US President Donald Trump.

An Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory is halted "until further notice," the first major test of the ceasefire.

Israel announced Wednesday that it remains committed to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, even after launching retaliatory airstrikes following the death of an Israeli soldier. The strikes, which Gaza health