CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas in eastern Gaza on Thursday, Palestinian residents and witnesses said, a day after Israel said it remained committed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire despite launching more lethal bombardments in the territory.

Israel has launched air strikes into Gaza, while Hamas has yet to return all of the remains of deceased hostages, citing difficulty locating them.

Last week, Israel struck sites across Gaza in response to clashes that killed two Israeli soldiers, but both sides said afterward they were both committed to the cease-fire.