- Israeli air and artillery strikes on Gaza came after two Israeli soldiers were killed near Rafah
- Humanitarian aid was paused by Israel and Rafah crossing closed, raising fears of worsening Gaza
- At least 26 Palestinians reportedly killed in the strikes, including civilians and children.
Jerusalem/Gaza Strip (WNEWS) – The truce between #Hamas and the Israel Defence Forces is in danger as fresh violence and growing humanitarian problems put last week’s peace deal under pressure. A recent strike has raised tensions and worries.
These strikes, representing the most significant breach since the cease-fire took effect earlier this month hit several densely populated areas, including a school sheltering displaced families. While Israeli officials, including Defence Ministry spokespeople, described the strikes as “targeted responses” to an attack allegedly carried out by Hamas militants, Palestinian sources, such as representatives from the local health authorities, countered that Israeli military leaders were using the incident as a pretext to resume a broader campaign, further escalating tensions.
Amid rising accusations, Hamas denied involvement in the attack that killed the soldiers. The group labelled the Israeli response “collective punishment” and warned that continuing bombings could “bury the truce entirely.”
The situation escalated further on Sunday, as Israeli forces carried out heavy air and artillery strikes across southern Gaza. The IDF stated these actions were in response to a Hamas attack near Rafah that killed two Israeli soldiers, reinforcing the cycle of retaliation.
Gaza’s Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reported that at least 26 Palestinians died in the strikes, including children and a woman. One bomb reportedly hit a school that had become a shelter in the Nuseirat camp.
Hamas denied responsibility for any attack and said it had no contact with fighters in Rafah. The group called Israel’s explanation ‘misleading propaganda.’
Aid halted, humanitarian alarm raised.
As violence increased, Israel temporarily stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying there were cease-fire violations and security concerns.
The closure affected the main land crossing at Rafah, which connects Gaza and Egypt. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Rafah would stay closed until Hamas returns the bodies of hostages, a key part of the truce deal.
Aid agencies warned that Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis could get even worse if supplies remain blocked. The UN-backed IPC declared Gaza a famine zone in August.
Diplomacy and the future of the truce
The cease-fire, brokered by the U.S. with and supported by Egypt and Qatar, began on October 10. It was seen as a step toward a political solution after two years of war.
However, some key issues remain unresolved. Hamas has not agreed to fully disarm, wants to maintain security control in Gaza, and disagreements continue over the return of hostages’ bodies and reopening crossings. These unresolved points threaten the stability of the truce.
Mediators are still pushing for the return of hostages’ bodies, the reopening of crossings, and rebuilding efforts. The U.S. State Department warned of credible reports that Hamas may soon break the cease-fire.
Background: The October 2025 Peace Framework
The current cease-fire, or Gaza Stabilization and Reconstruction Agreement (GSRA), was announced on October 10, 2025, following months of U.S.-led shuttle diplomacy with Egyptian, Qatari, and Jordanian officials.
The deal marked the first sustained pause in fighting since the devastating 2023-24 Gaza war that left tens of thousands dead and much of the enclave in ruins. It was described by the U.S. State Department as a “multi-phase pathway toward permanent peace.”
Key provisions of the GSRA included:
- Immediate cessation of hostilities by both Israel and Hamas.
- Phased release of hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for selected Palestinian prisoners.
- Humanitarian corridors to deliver food, medicine, and fuel through Egypt and Israel-approved routes.
- Gradual Israeli withdrawal from parts of northern Gaza, conditional on Hamas’s cooperation with cease-fire monitors.
- The deal called for the formation of an interim civil administration in Gaza, supported by Egypt and the United Nations, responsible for managing reconstruction and maintaining order.
However, both sides remain deeply divided on core issues. Hamas has refused to disarm, saying it will retain internal security control “until a final political solution is reached.” Israel has demanded the full disbandment of Hamas’s military wing and the return of all hostages’ remains.
Previously, the fragile truce had permitted limited aid shipments and modest rebuilding efforts. However, Sunday’s violence reignited tensions and put these gains at risk.
The U.S. State Department said it was “deeply concerned” by the renewed violence, calling on both sides to “exercise maximum restraint.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli and Egyptian counterparts Sunday evening, emphasizing that “the humanitarian flow must not be interrupted.”
The European Union expressed alarm over the airstrikes, warning they could “jeopardize months of diplomatic progress.” Meanwhile, the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency session for Monday to discuss the deteriorating
What’s next
- Escalation is possible. Major military action by either side could quickly end the truce.
- Aid and open crossings are crucial to test whether the truce will hold.
- Lasting peace needs agreement on governance, rebuilding, and security.
- International pressure mounts. U.S. and Arab mediators are expected to intervene, and new fighting could reshape the region.
Events on October 19 show the cease-fire’s fragility. Fighting has decreased, but for Gaza’s displaced and missing hostages, peace is uncertain.
