The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by former US President Donald Trump and implemented on 10 October, is already showing signs of collapse. Tensions flared on Sunday after the Israeli army confirmed launching air strikes in southern Gaza in response to what it claimed were attacks by Hamas militants.
The truce had ended more than two years of intense conflict, offering hope for a lasting peace in the war-torn Palestinian territory. But the renewed escalation raises concerns that the uneasy calm could unravel.
The Israeli military said Hamas fighters fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers operating in Rafah to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure.” In response, Israeli jets carried out air strikes and artillery fire in the area.
Hamas has denied violating the truce, accusing Israel of fabricating pretexts to justify new military action. “We are committed to the ceasefire,” said a senior Hamas official, adding that Israel was “seeking excuses to resume its attacks.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed security forces to take “strong action against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip,” blaming Hamas for violating the agreement.
The truce agreement, brokered with US backing, had laid out a framework for hostage and prisoner exchanges and a roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction and political future.
Israel and Hamas Clash Over Ceasefire Violation Claims
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on 10 October under a deal negotiated by the Trump administration. It was hailed as a turning point in efforts to stabilize Gaza after years of bloodshed.
Under the 20-point plan, Israeli forces withdrew beyond the so-called Yellow Line, leaving them in control of half of Gaza’s territory and its borders. Hamas, meanwhile, began releasing hostages and returning the remains of those killed in the war.
But within nine days, tensions have resurfaced. Clashes in Rafah erupted after reports of Hamas militants and local gangs encountering Israeli tanks in contested areas. Witnesses reported air strikes and heavy gunfire.
Right-wing Israeli politicians, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have urged the military to fully resume fighting. “The illusion that Hamas will abide by this agreement is proving dangerous to our security,” Ben Gvir said, calling for Hamas to be “completely annihilated.”
Israel and Hamas response, Hamas’s political bureau member Izzat Al-Rishq reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire, accusing Israel of breaching the agreement first. Hamas’s armed wing also claimed it had “no knowledge” of any planned operations in Rafah.
US peace envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in the region next week to monitor the ceasefire implementation. International observers warn that without restraint on both sides, the truce could collapse entirely.
The current truce follows a devastating war sparked by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign that left at least 68,159 people dead in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry — figures deemed credible by the United Nations.
More than half of those killed in Gaza were women and children. Since the ceasefire took effect, 35 Palestinians have died from Israeli fire, further straining the fragile agreement.
Israel and Hamas war has also displaced hundreds of thousands, left infrastructure in ruins, and pushed Gaza’s humanitarian situation to the brink of collapse.
A major sticking point in the Israel and Hamas ceasefire implementation is the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. On Sunday, Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians, bringing the total to 150 since the truce began. But it also confirmed it would keep Rafah closed until further notice, linking the reopening to Hamas fulfilling its commitments on returning hostage remains.
Among the Israeli victims whose remains were recently returned were Ronen Engel, a photojournalist and volunteer medic, and Thai farmworker Sonthaya Oakkharasri. Both were killed in the 7 October attacks and their bodies held in Gaza.
Humanitarian groups have warned that closing Rafah will delay the delivery of food, fuel, and medical aid to Gaza’s civilian population. Hamas has also said it needs more time and technical assistance to recover remaining bodies trapped under the rubble.
The truce between Israel and Hamas was intended to provide breathing space for diplomatic negotiations and humanitarian relief. However, renewed military activity, hardline rhetoric, and unresolved hostage issues threaten to destabilize the fragile agreement.
Netanyahu’s office has made clear that reopening the Rafah crossing depends on Hamas fully complying with the deal. Hamas, on the other hand, accuses Israel of deliberately undermining the ceasefire.
As both sides trade accusations, the fate of the truce—and the broader region’s stability—hangs in the balance. International mediators are urging restraint, warning that a return to full-scale war would have catastrophic consequences for civilians on both sides.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains in place on paper, but escalating clashes, border closures, and political hardline positions could quickly unravel the agreement. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the truce leads to renewed fighting or becomes a stepping stone toward a more lasting solution.
For now, both Israel and Hamas stand at a critical crossroads—one that will shape the future of Gaza, regional stability, and countless civilian lives.
Source- EWN
