The Israeli military announced on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza has resumed after a deadly exchange that killed two Israeli soldiers and prompted a wave of retaliatory airstrikes, leaving at least 26 Palestinians dead. The strikes hit several areas, including a former school sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat, according to local health officials.
US President Donald Trump, who brokered the ceasefire earlier this month, said the truce was still holding and suggested that Hamas leadership might not be behind the latest attacks. “We think maybe the leadership isn’t involved,” Trump said aboard Air Force One, adding that the situation would be handled “toughly but properly.”
Read More: Deadly Airstrikes Hit Gaza, Dozens of Palestinians Killed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “forceful” response to what he described as Hamas’ violations of the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Israeli officials said aid supplies to Gaza — halted briefly after the strikes — would resume Monday under US pressure.
The renewed violence marks the biggest challenge yet to the fragile truce, which began on October 10 and brought an end to two years of conflict. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains closed, as Israel demands Hamas fulfill its obligations, including the return of deceased hostages’ bodies.
Read More:Israeli Violations of Gaza Ceasefire Continue, Killing Palestinians
Hamas stated it remains committed to the ceasefire and denied involvement in the clashes in Rafah. Its leaders also said that more aid is urgently needed in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of residents are facing severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to help stabilize the situation. Despite international efforts, key issues — including Hamas’ disarmament, Gaza’s future governance, and long-term peace — remain unresolved.