Israel has resumed enforcing the Gaza ceasefire agreement following a wave of airstrikes launched across the enclave in response to alleged Hamas violations. The strikes, which began late Tuesday, killed dozens of people and marked one of the most serious challenges to the fragile truce in recent weeks. Israeli officials stated that their actions were a “measured response” after a Palestinian attack reportedly killed one Israeli soldier near the border.
In a statement, the Israeli military reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire deal but warned it would respond firmly to “any breach of the agreement.” The renewed hostilities come despite ongoing international efforts to maintain calm since the truce took effect earlier this month. The United States, which helped broker the ceasefire, urged both sides to exercise restraint, with President Donald Trump stating that the agreement was “not at risk” and that Israel had “the right to respond” when attacked.
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Health authorities in Gaza reported that at least 70 people were killed in the latest Israeli airstrikes, including families trapped inside residential buildings. Casualties were reported in multiple areas, such as the Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, and Khan Younis. Despite the violence, Hamas denied involvement in the alleged sniper attack that killed the Israeli soldier and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire, calling Israel’s strikes an “unjustified escalation.”
Israeli military officials, however, accused Hamas of targeting soldiers within the so-called “yellow line,” a deployment boundary established under the ceasefire agreement. The truce, implemented on October 10, ended nearly two years of continuous conflict sparked by Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023. Israeli authorities insist that Hamas must fully adhere to the terms of the deal to prevent a new cycle of violence, warning that further violations could “terminate” the agreement.
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The ceasefire framework includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners, along with the return of hostage remains. Tensions have escalated after Israel accused Hamas of staging a “fake recovery” operation involving the remains of an Israeli hostage. The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that its team was unaware of the alleged setup before arrival. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such actions undermine trust and risk jeopardizing the hard-won truce, even as international mediators continue to push for restraint and dialogue to preserve peace in the region.