Trump maintains that the ceasefire in Gaza is "still in force" following the deadly Israeli strikes.

 

Even after Israel launched lethal airstrikes on Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaching the ceasefire, US President Donald Trump has maintained that the ceasefire is still in place.



After the Islamist group was accused of committing a "blatant violation" of the nine-day-old truce by allegedly targeting Israeli forces, Israel launched attacks on Hamas locations in southern Gaza.

Asked by reporters if the truce was still in effect, Trump, who facilitated the agreement, only replied, "Yeah, it is." The core Hamas leadership was not responsible for the alleged violations, he added, but rather "some rebels within."



"We want to make sure that it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas," Trump said. "It’s going to be handled toughly, but properly."

According to Gaza's civil defense service, which is run by Hamas, at least 45 people were killed by the Israeli strikes around the region. The dead toll was confirmed to AFP by four Gazan hospitals. The Israeli military said it was investigating the casualty reports. AFP has been unable to independently confirm the tolls and specifics because of media restrictions and access issues in Gaza.



While claiming to have "renewed enforcement of the ceasefire" on Sunday, the Israeli military also promised to "respond firmly to any violation."

One Hamas official accused Israel of creating "pretexts" to re-start the war, while the group disputed the charges. Additionally, a security official informed AFP that Israel was halting humanitarian deliveries to Gaza because of alleged ceasefire violations. Throughout the conflict, Israel has frequently stopped providing supplies to Gaza, prompting the UN to issue hunger warnings.


Beginning on October 10, the ceasefire had put an end to over two years of brutal conflict. It set up an ambitious plan for Gaza's future and a framework for exchanging hostages and prisoners, but its execution has already run into problems.

Israel reported that fighting in the city of Rafah on Sunday claimed the lives of two of its soldiers. "Terrorists fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire on IDF (Israeli army) forces" in the city, according to the military, to which the IDF retaliated with artillery and airstrikes. Conflicts broke out in the southern city, which is still under Israeli control, according to Palestinian witnesses.



According to 29-year-old Abdullah Abu Hasanin of the Al-Bureij camp, "the situation is as if the war has returned anew," and the aftermath of the attack was "indescribable." Once more, blood has returned.

Israel said two of its troops were killed in Sunday's battle in the city of Rafah. According to the military, "terrorists fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire on IDF (Israeli army) forces" in the city. The IDF responded with artillery and aircraft. Palestinian witnesses said fighting broke out in the southern city, which is still governed by Israel.



"The situation is as if the war has returned anew," said 29-year-old Abdullah Abu Hasanin of the Al-Bureij camp, and the attack's aftermath was "indescribable." The blood has come back again.

US Vice President JD Vance urged Gulf Arab nations to set up a "security infrastructure" to guarantee Hamas' disarmament, which is a crucial component of the peace deal.



Israeli forces have retreated past the so-called Yellow Line in accordance with Trump's 20-point plan, maintaining control of around half of Gaza, including the borders but excluding the major cities.



In response, Hamas has freed the 20 captives who are still alive and is attempting to repatriate the deceased's corpses. Israel handed over 150 Palestinians' bodies, including 15 that were returned to Gaza on Sunday. Israel has connected the complete recovery of the dead to the reopening of the Rafah crossing, which serves as Gaza's major entry point.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run region of Gaza reports that at least 68,159 people have died in the conflict, which was started by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. More than half of the deceased are women and children, according to the data, which does not differentiate between militants and civilians. 1,221 persons, primarily civilians, were killed in the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.