The Israeli army said a ceasefire in Gaza had been restored after it carried out air strikes in retaliation for an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, Reuters reports.
US President Donald Trump also said that his ceasefire was in effect and that the Hamas terror group was not involved in violating the terms of the ceasefire. Trump could not answer the question of whether Israel’s strikes were justified.
Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza were reportedly resumed on the 20th of October, following US pressure. Israel had previously suspended the flow of aid, citing Hamas’ violations of the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli army had reportedly carried out strikes on targets linked to Hamas. The terrorist group had previously fired an anti-tank missile at the Israelis and opened fire.
At least 26 people have been killed in the Israeli strikes, including a woman and a child. At least one of the strikes hit a former school building that is currently housing displaced Palestinians.
Hamas has said it is not violating the ceasefire and is unaware of the clashes in Rafah.
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters, did not mention the Israeli strikes but said there were about 40 Hamas cells and no security infrastructure to ensure that weapons had been laid down. Vance added that some of the group’s cells would respect the ceasefire, while others would not. He also said Arab states would need to be involved to ensure the group disarms and to establish law and order in the area.
Fearing the end of the ceasefire, some Palestinians rushed to buy food and families fled their homes.
The current ceasefire came into effect on the 10th of October, halting two years of fighting, but the Israeli government and Hamas have been accusing each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire for days. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the line behind which the Israelis have withdrawn their forces will be physically marked and any breach will result in open fire.
Israel said on the 18th of October that the Rafah crossing, which was due to open this week, would remain closed, and that when the border opens depends on Hamas complying with the terms of the ceasefire. The group is too slow in searching for the remains of the Israeli prisoners that have not yet been returned. So far, 12 of the 28 bodies have been returned. Hamas has said it has no intention of keeping the bodies, but the extensive damage makes it impossible to find the missing in the rubble without special equipment.
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