The Israeli military announced on Sunday that a ceasefire in Gaza had resumed after an attack that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers, leading to a series of airstrikes that claimed the lives of 26 individuals. This incident marked a significant challenge to the truce brokered by the U.S. earlier in the month.
Following pressure from the U.S., aid deliveries to the enclave were set to recommence on Monday, as confirmed by an Israeli security source. The Israeli strikes in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, including a woman and a child, as reported by local residents and health authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were anticipated to visit Israel on Monday, according to statements from an Israeli official and a U.S. official. The Israeli military conducted strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, including field commanders, armed individuals, a tunnel, and weapons storage facilities, in response to an anti-tank missile attack and gunfire directed at its troops in Rafah, which led to the soldiers’ fatalities.
Some Palestinians hurried to purchase goods from a primary market in Nuseirat, while families in Khan Younis fled their residences further south after nearby airstrikes. The recent ceasefire, effective from October 10, halted two years of conflict, but both the Israeli government and Hamas have accused each other of violating the truce in recent days.
Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the designated boundary where Israeli forces withdrew under the ceasefire agreement would be visibly marked, and any breach or attempt to cross it would be met with force. Hamas outlined multiple alleged violations by Israel resulting in casualties and impeding essential supplies from reaching Gaza.
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, initially scheduled for reopening, remains closed, with Israel linking its resumption to Hamas fulfilling its ceasefire obligations. Hamas released all living hostages in its custody, yet delays in returning deceased hostages have led to tensions, with Hamas citing the need for specialized equipment to recover bodies buried under debris.
The ceasefire deal also includes provisions for increased aid to Gaza, where a significant number of individuals were deemed at risk of famine. The Rafah crossing, historically pivotal for humanitarian aid, has been largely inactive since May 2024. Despite recent aid flow improvements through alternative channels, the United Nations stresses the need for further aid distribution to Gaza. Key unresolved issues include the disarmament of Hamas, Gaza’s future governance, the establishment of an international stabilization force, and progress towards a Palestinian state.