Israeli military reported that a ceasefire in Gaza has resumed following an incident that claimed the lives of two soldiers and led to a series of airstrikes resulting in 26 casualties. Aid operations in the region were scheduled to restart on Monday under pressure from the United States. The Israeli airstrikes caused the death of 26 individuals in Gaza, including women and children.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to visit Israel on Monday. Israeli military targeted Hamas sites in Gaza after an anti-tank missile attack on its troops in Rafah, which led to the soldiers’ deaths.
Despite fears of the truce collapsing, Palestinians rushed to buy goods and fled homes in response to the airstrikes. The ceasefire, initiated on October 10 to end two years of conflict, has been marred by mutual accusations of violations. Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire, leading to 46 deaths and halting essential supplies to Gaza.
The ceasefire terms include marking a boundary where Israeli forces have withdrawn and enforcing consequences for any violations. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a crucial humanitarian aid route, remains closed due to Hamas’ alleged failure to fulfill ceasefire obligations. Hamas has released living hostages but faces challenges in returning deceased captives due to the need for specialized equipment to recover bodies buried under rubble.
The ceasefire deal aims to increase aid to Gaza, which is grappling with a significant humanitarian crisis. The future of Gaza governance, disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a Palestinian state are key unresolved issues.