JERUSALEM (AP) — Gaza's fragile ceasefire recently faced significant challenges as Israeli forces initiated a series of lethal attacks in response to Hamas militants reportedly killing two Israeli soldiers. An Israeli security official confirmed that aid transfers into Gaza were halted during this period.
Following the strikes, the Israeli military announced it had resumed enforcement of the ceasefire, with promises that aid deliveries would restart on Monday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to media restrictions, indicated that a week had passed since the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. U.S. President Donald Trump reassured reporters that the ceasefire remained intact and expressed hope for continued peace.
During a flight on Air Force One, Trump characterized Hamas as “quite rambunctious,” suggesting that recent violence could stem from “rebels” within the organization, separate from its leadership. He noted that while the situation would be addressed firmly, it warranted careful handling. Trump's comments came amid Vice President JD Vance expressing the possibility of visiting Israel soon to assess the situation first-hand, acknowledging the complexity of the ceasefire, which he described as expected to have “fits and starts.”
Health officials in Gaza reported at least 36 Palestinians had been killed since hostilities reignited, including children. The Israeli military stated it targeted numerous Hamas sites in retaliation for attacks on its troops in Rafah.
Moreover, a senior Egyptian official, engaged in ceasefire negotiations, indicated ongoing “round-the-clock” efforts to de-escalate tensions, although he remained anonymous due to the sensitive nature of his role. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to respond decisively to any ceasefire violations but refrained from threatening a return to war.
Palestinians expressed fears of renewed conflict in Gaza, where aid deliveries had previously been halted for over two months following the end of an earlier ceasefire. Mahmoud Hashim, a Gaza City resident and father of five, made an emotional appeal to President Trump and mediators to intervene in the escalating situation.
Reports from Al-Awda Hospital confirmed receiving 24 bodies following several Israeli airstrikes in the Nuseirat and Bureij camps, along with another airstrike that struck a coffeehouse in Zawaida, resulting in at least six fatalities. Other strikes in Beit Lahiya and Khan Younis also contributed to civilian casualties, including women and children.
In a related development, Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas, both believed to have died during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The two hosts were identified as Ronen Engel, a family man from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker. Engel's family had faced kidnapping and eventual release during a previous ceasefire.
Hamas recently returned the remains of 12 hosts, while its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, claimed to have found another body, though warned further Israeli escalation could hinder recovery efforts. Israel pressed Hamas for the return of all remains of 28 deceased hostages, stating the Rafah border crossing would remain closed until further notice, complicating humanitarian efforts in the war-torn territory.
Despite the complexities of ongoing negotiations, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire's implementation with mediators. Upcoming discussions are expected to address critical issues such as disarming Hamas, Israeli military withdrawal from occupied areas, and future governance of Gaza. Hamas reiterated it would not be part of any ruling authority in a postwar scenario, calling for the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic body for daily governance.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, more than 68,000 Palestinians have reportedly died, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Casualty statistics remain disputed by Israel, which has not released its figures, while thousands are still unaccounted for, according to the Red Cross. The initial attack by Hamas led to approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties, primarily among civilians, and involved the abduction of 251 individuals.
