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The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major challenge Sunday after Israel accused Hamas of violating the truceand launched a wave of air and artillery strikes, killing dozens of people across the territory.
An Israeli security official told CBS News that the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza has been suspended “until further notice,” following what Israel described as Hamas attacks on its forces.
Israel’s military said two soldiers were killed in separate incidents involving rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire in areas under Israeli control east of the “yellow line.”
“This is a bold violation of the ceasefire,” an Israeli official told CBS News.
Netanyahu Orders ‘Strong Action’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with security chiefs and directed the military to take “strong action” against what he called “terrorist targets.” While he did not threaten to resume full-scale war, the strikes marked the most serious escalation since the truce began under President Donald Trump’s peace plan last week.
Hamas, for its part, denied involvement in the fighting. The group’s Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said it had “no knowledge of any incidents” in Rafah, where Israeli forces maintain control, and reaffirmed its “full commitment” to the ceasefire.
“We have no contact with the remaining groups of ours there since the war resumed in March,” the statement said.
Mounting Casualties, Ceasefire Reaffirmed
Hospital officials in Gaza said at least 38 people were killed Sunday in Israeli strikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)said it had targeted “dozens” of Hamas sites but later issued a statement saying it had begun “re-enforcing the ceasefire”following “its violation by the terrorist organization Hamas.”
“The IDF will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement and will respond forcefully to any violation,” the military said.
Diplomacy and Humanitarian Fallout
The escalation came hours after Israel identified the remains of two hostages released overnight by Hamas and as new talks to begin the second phase of the ceasefire deal were underway.
Israel also said the Rafah border crossing with Egypt would remain closed “until further notice,” linking its reopening to Hamas’s fulfillment of its obligation to return the remains of deceased hostages. Israeli media reported that the bodies of 16 hostages, including two foreign nationals, remain in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said it had received “credible reports” suggesting Hamas was planning an attack on Palestinian civilians inside Gaza — an allegation Hamas quickly dismissed as “false.”
First Phase of Trump Peace Plan Tested
The truce was part of the first stage of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which took effect after Israeli forces pulled back from parts of Gaza last week.
Since then, Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the remains of 12 others, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and about 1,700 held without charge since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
Israel has also returned 150 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, though it has not identified them or disclosed how they died.
The next phase of the peace plan is expected to focus on Hamas disarmament, further Israeli withdrawals, and future governance of Gaza.
