The Israeli military said it would resume enforcing the ceasefire in Gaza following air strikes on Sunday, in response to what it described as Hamas’s “blatant violation” of the agreement. The strikes targeted southern Gaza after the military reported that militants fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at Israeli troops in Rafah, killing two soldiers. Hamas, however, denied knowledge of any clashes in the area.
By evening, Israel reported hitting multiple Hamas positions across Gaza, while hospitals confirmed at least 44 people had been killed. Hamas, committed to the ceasefire, accused Israel of violations and warned that continued strikes could push the situation toward a “total collapse.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated after 9 p.m. that it had begun renewed enforcement of the ceasefire and would respond firmly to any violations, without clarifying whether the previous suspension of aid to Gaza had been lifted.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which began on 10 October, initially ended fighting, partially withdrew Israeli troops along Gaza’s borders, and allowed increased aid access. Under the deal, Hamas has released all living hostages and 12 of 28 deceased individuals, while Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 Gaza detainees, returning 15 bodies for every Israeli hostage’s remains.
Sunday’s clashes marked the worst day of violence since the ceasefire began. The IDF said Hamas fighters fired on troops dismantling tunnels in Rafah. Hamas’s military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, denied involvement, claiming it had no contact with fighters in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the deaths of two Israeli soldiers, Major Yaniv Kola and Sergeant Itay Yavetz, and instructed top defense officials to target Hamas positions. Residents reported explosions from air strikes and artillery in Rafah, causing panic among displaced families. At least 12 additional air strikes hit eastern Khan Younis.
Hospitals in Gaza reported multiple casualties, including nine deaths in al-Zawaida and Nuseirat. Six of those killed in al-Zawaida were members of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, including commander Yahya al-Mabhouh. Another air strike hit a school sheltering displaced families, killing women and children.
Hamas has accused Israel of arming local gangs, including Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, complicating Gaza’s internal security. Israeli officials said Hamas fired at IDF troops in at least three incidents behind the “yellow line.”
The escalation follows U.S. reports of a “credible threat” that Hamas planned an imminent attack on civilians, which Hamas denied. Last week, clashes between Hamas forces and armed gangs killed 27 people in Gaza.
The Israeli military has been active in Gaza since the 7 October attack, in which Hamas gunmen killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 68,000 deaths from Israeli strikes since the conflict began.
U.S. officials, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected in Israel to maintain the ceasefire. President Trump warned Hamas that attacks on civilians would be met with strong retaliation but clarified no U.S. troops would enter Gaza.
