Israel Restores Ceasefire After Gaza Strikes Kill 26
Trump Says Truce Still Holds Despite Renewed Violence
GAZA CITY / WASHINGTON — The Israeli military announced on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza had resumed after an attack killed two Israeli soldiers, triggering retaliatory airstrikes that left 26 Palestinians dead. The renewed violence marks the most serious challenge to this month’s fragile truce.
Israel Confirms Ceasefire Resumption
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), airstrikes targeted Hamas positions across Gaza, including commanders, gunmen, tunnels, and weapons depots. The strikes followed an anti-tank missile attack and gunfire from militants that killed two Israeli soldiers.
Palestinian health officials and residents reported that at least 26 people, including a woman and a child, were killed. One strike hit a former school in Nuseirat that was being used as a shelter for displaced families.
An Israeli security source said humanitarian aid would resume on Monday after U.S. pressure, following Israel’s temporary suspension of supplies in response to what it called a “blatant” truce violation by Hamas.
Trump: “Ceasefire Still in Place”
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the ceasefire he brokered remained in effect, though he expressed uncertainty over the legitimacy of Israel’s response.
“We think maybe the Hamas leadership isn’t involved in that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Either way, it’s going to be handled toughly but properly.” When asked whether Israeli strikes were justified, he said, “I’d have to get back to you on that.”
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to arrive in Israel on Monday for diplomatic consultations, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.
Hamas and U.S. Officials React
Hamas’s armed wing said it remained committed to the ceasefire and denied involvement in recent clashes in Rafah. The group stated that it had not communicated with smaller militant factions in the area since March.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the fragile security situation, noting that Hamas operates through about 40 separate cells, many of which remain armed. “Some of those cells will honor the ceasefire, and many, as we saw today, will not,” he said. Vance emphasized that stability would require participation from Gulf Arab states to help establish law and order in Gaza.
Netanyahu Orders Forceful Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to “respond forcefully” to Hamas’s violations. Defense Minister Israel Katz added that Israel would mark a “yellow line” along its withdrawal zone under the ceasefire terms, warning that any attempt to cross it would be met with fire.
Palestinians Fear Truce Collapse
Amid fears that the ceasefire might collapse, residents rushed to buy supplies in Nuseirat and fled their homes in Khan Younis after nearby strikes. The latest violence recalls Israel’s confrontation with Hezbollah in late 2024, when both sides accused each other of truce violations soon after an agreement was reached.
Despite brief lulls, Gaza has experienced repeated cycles of conflict. A previous ceasefire collapsed in March after nearly two months of calm, when Israel launched airstrikes following renewed rocket attacks.
Dispute Over Hostage Bodies
Tensions have also grown over the return of hostages’ bodies. Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the handover of remains, while Hamas says many bodies are buried under rubble and require special equipment to retrieve.
Last week, Hamas released all 20 surviving hostages and later handed over 12 of the 28 deceased captives. Israel has linked the reopening of the Rafah crossing—closed since May 2024—to Hamas fulfilling its commitments under the ceasefire.
Aid and Humanitarian Challenges
The ceasefire agreement, which began on October 10, includes increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the UN and IPC global hunger monitor have warned of widespread famine. The Rafah crossing has historically served as a key route for relief supplies, but aid deliveries have been inconsistent.
While aid flow through another crossing had increased since the truce began, Israel’s brief suspension on Sunday disrupted operations. The United Nations says that despite recent improvements, far more assistance is needed to meet Gaza’s urgent humanitarian needs.
Unresolved Questions
Critical issues—such as Hamas’s disarmament, Gaza’s future governance, and the potential formation of an international stabilization force—remain unsettled. Analysts warn that without clear progress on these matters, peace in Gaza will remain uncertain.
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