Israel has reinstated enforcement of a ceasefire in Gaza following a series of airstrikes that occurred in response to attacks on its forces. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that they resumed the ceasefire in line with directives from the political leadership. The military’s statement emphasized that its actions were a reaction to recent violations by Hamas, which included an anti-tank missile attack that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers.
Earlier, the IDF targeted several Hamas positions across the enclave, striking field commanders, gunmen, and weapons depots. Reports from local health authorities in Gaza indicated that these airstrikes and tank fire led to the deaths of at least 18 individuals, among them one woman. A former school sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat was also reportedly hit during the strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that he had instructed the military to respond decisively to what he characterized as breaches of the ceasefire by Hamas. An Israeli security official noted that the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza has been suspended indefinitely, citing Hamas’ violation of the ceasefire agreement. Despite this, Israeli media reported that aid is expected to resume on Monday, following pressure from the United States.
According to Axios, a U.S. official confirmed that Israel had notified Washington about plans to reopen a crossing into Gaza on Monday morning.
The situation on the ground remains tense. Fearful of a collapse in the truce, many Palestinians in Gaza rushed to buy essential goods in local markets, particularly in Nuseirat, while families evacuated their homes in Khan Younis as airstrikes struck nearby areas. The current conflict echoes a similar situation in late 2024, when a ceasefire with Hezbollah was violated, although that agreement has since held.
Since the ceasefire was implemented on October 10, 2024, which ended two years of ongoing conflict, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms. Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, stated that the “yellow line” demarcating the area where Israeli forces had withdrawn under the ceasefire would be clearly marked, with any breach resulting in military action.
Hamas, for its part, has claimed that Israeli actions have resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals and obstructed essential supplies from reaching Gaza. On Saturday, Israel announced that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which had been anticipated to reopen, would remain closed until Hamas met its obligations under the ceasefire, including the transfer of deceased hostages.
Last week, Hamas released all 20 living hostages it had been holding, and has since returned 12 of the 28 deceased captives. The group maintains that it lacks the resources to recover bodies buried under rubble and has expressed no interest in retaining the remaining deceased hostages.
The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024. The ceasefire agreement also aims to increase aid to Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are facing famine conditions, as indicated by the IPC global hunger monitor. Historically, this crossing has served as a critical route for humanitarian assistance during ceasefires.
Despite some improvements in aid flow through another crossing prior to the decision to halt assistance, the United Nations has emphasized that significantly more support is necessary for the beleaguered population. Key unresolved issues include Hamas’ disarmament, the future governance of Gaza, the establishment of an international stabilization force, and the broader aim of establishing a Palestinian state.
