Gaza’s week-old ceasefire — brokered by the US to end two years of relentless war — came under its first major strain on Sunday. Israeli forces launched a series of deadly airstrikes across the enclave after accusing Hamas militants of ambushing troops in Rafah and killing two soldiers.
The strikes, which Gaza officials said killed at least 36 Palestinians including children, briefly halted the transfer of humanitarian aid before both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire.
Video US President Donald Trump said the truce “remains in place” but acknowledged “some shooting” by Hamas, while Egypt and other mediators worked urgently to prevent the situation from spiralling back into war.
Here are 10 things to know about the latest developments in Gaza amid the fragile truce with Israel:
Israel launches strikes after soldier deaths
The Israeli military said it carried out widespread air and artillery strikes after Hamas fighters allegedly opened fire on its troops in Rafah, within areas under Israeli control as per the ceasefire map.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said fighter jets struck “dozens of terror targets” and used over 120 munitions to destroy a six-kilometre-long underground tunnel network belonging to Hamas.
Footage released by the IDF showed troops striking multiple sites across the Gaza Strip, with plumes of fire and smoke rising from the targeted areas.
In an official statement, the military said, "The IDF attacked dozens of terror targets of the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip. The IDF, led by the Southern Command, attacked in recent hours using fighter jets and aircraft of the Air Force and artillery, dozens of terror targets of the Hamas terror organization throughout the Gaza Strip, following the violation of a ceasefire agreement earlier today."
The IDF added that the underground route it struck was used by Hamas “to advance terror plans against the State of Israel.”
The IDF also said its forces identified several armed militants moving toward troops in the Beit Lahiya area, beyond the designated “yellow line,” and struck them after they crossed it in violation of the ceasefire.
Hamas denies role, accuses Israel of breaking truce
Hamas rejected Israel’s claims, saying it had no active units in Rafah and that communication with its fighters there had been cut for months. The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “violating the ceasefire” to justify renewed attacks.
Civilian casualties mount across Gaza
Health officials in Gaza reported at least 36 deaths, including children and women, in strikes across central and southern areas.
Al-Awda hospital said it received 24 bodies from Israeli attacks on the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps. Another strike on a coffeehouse in Zawaida killed six people, while four, including two children, died in Khan Younis.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 68,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023. The toll includes both civilians and fighters. Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages in the initial assault. Thousands remain missing in Gaza, and famine and disease continue to stalk the battered enclave as fragile diplomacy hangs in the balance.
Aid deliveries briefly suspended, to resume Monday
An Israeli security official confirmed that aid shipments into Gaza were paused following the escalation. Deliveries will resume on Monday, he said, adding that the temporary halt was due to “security considerations.” The Rafah crossing with Egypt — the only one not controlled by Israel before the war — remains closed “until further notice.”
Ceasefire still holds, but fragile: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, insisted that the ceasefire “remains in place” but admitted Hamas had been “quite rambunctious.” "They (Hamas) have been doing some shooting, and we think maybe the leadership isn't involved in that — that it's some rebels within — but either way... it's going to be handle toughly, but properly."
US VP JD Vance may visit Israel
Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that he might travel to Israel soon to “check on how things are going.” He described the ceasefire as entering a stage of “fits and starts,” reflecting the administration’s cautious optimism about the truce’s endurance.
Vance says that a member of the Trump administration was “certainly” going to visit Israel “in the next few days” to monitor the situation. He does not confirm who that would be, but says, “it might be me.”
‘War of Revival’: Israel cabinet
The Israeli government on Sunday overwhelmingly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to rename the Gaza conflict “The War of Revival,” replacing the previous title, “Swords of Iron", reported Times of Israel.
The move, backed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, has stirred controversy, with critics accusing Netanyahu of trying to distance himself from responsibility for failing to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that ignited the war.
Although the official name has now changed, many Israelis continue to refer to the conflict simply as the “October 7 war.”
Freed surviving hostages return to celebratory homecomings
Seven recently released hostages were discharged from Sheba Medical Center and greeted by crowds waving Israeli and American flags, as reported by Times of Israel.
Among them were the Cunio brothers, the Berman twins, and survivors of the Nova music festival attack. Their joyful reunions — marked by dancing, singing, and emotional speeches — underscored the deep public relief after two years of anguish.
New hostage remains identified
Israel identified two more hostages — Ronen Engel from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Thai agricultural worker Sonthaya Oakkharasri — whose remains were handed over by Hamas.
Both were believed killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war. So far, Hamas has returned 12 of the 28 bodies agreed upon under the ceasefire deal.
Cairo hosts urgent talks to advance ceasefire
Egypt, which helped broker the truce, is leading “round-the-clock” talks with Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Cairo.
Negotiators are working to stabilise the situation and move toward the next phase of the ceasefire — which includes Hamas’s disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal from more areas, and the creation of an internationally backed governing authority for Gaza.
The strikes, which Gaza officials said killed at least 36 Palestinians including children, briefly halted the transfer of humanitarian aid before both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire.
Video US President Donald Trump said the truce “remains in place” but acknowledged “some shooting” by Hamas, while Egypt and other mediators worked urgently to prevent the situation from spiralling back into war.
Here are 10 things to know about the latest developments in Gaza amid the fragile truce with Israel:
Israel launches strikes after soldier deaths
The Israeli military said it carried out widespread air and artillery strikes after Hamas fighters allegedly opened fire on its troops in Rafah, within areas under Israeli control as per the ceasefire map.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said fighter jets struck “dozens of terror targets” and used over 120 munitions to destroy a six-kilometre-long underground tunnel network belonging to Hamas.
Footage released by the IDF showed troops striking multiple sites across the Gaza Strip, with plumes of fire and smoke rising from the targeted areas.
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 19, 2025
In an official statement, the military said, "The IDF attacked dozens of terror targets of the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip. The IDF, led by the Southern Command, attacked in recent hours using fighter jets and aircraft of the Air Force and artillery, dozens of terror targets of the Hamas terror organization throughout the Gaza Strip, following the violation of a ceasefire agreement earlier today."
The IDF added that the underground route it struck was used by Hamas “to advance terror plans against the State of Israel.”
The IDF also said its forces identified several armed militants moving toward troops in the Beit Lahiya area, beyond the designated “yellow line,” and struck them after they crossed it in violation of the ceasefire.
🎥WATCH: Several armed terrorists identified approaching IDF forces operating in the Beit Lahia area behind the yellow line, posing an immediate threat to the troops.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 19, 2025
In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the terrorists were struck after crossing the yellow line. pic.twitter.com/sl7mS98Lmi
Hamas denies role, accuses Israel of breaking truce
Hamas rejected Israel’s claims, saying it had no active units in Rafah and that communication with its fighters there had been cut for months. The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “violating the ceasefire” to justify renewed attacks.
Civilian casualties mount across Gaza
Health officials in Gaza reported at least 36 deaths, including children and women, in strikes across central and southern areas.
Al-Awda hospital said it received 24 bodies from Israeli attacks on the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps. Another strike on a coffeehouse in Zawaida killed six people, while four, including two children, died in Khan Younis.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 68,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023. The toll includes both civilians and fighters. Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages in the initial assault. Thousands remain missing in Gaza, and famine and disease continue to stalk the battered enclave as fragile diplomacy hangs in the balance.
Aid deliveries briefly suspended, to resume Monday
An Israeli security official confirmed that aid shipments into Gaza were paused following the escalation. Deliveries will resume on Monday, he said, adding that the temporary halt was due to “security considerations.” The Rafah crossing with Egypt — the only one not controlled by Israel before the war — remains closed “until further notice.”
Ceasefire still holds, but fragile: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, insisted that the ceasefire “remains in place” but admitted Hamas had been “quite rambunctious.” "They (Hamas) have been doing some shooting, and we think maybe the leadership isn't involved in that — that it's some rebels within — but either way... it's going to be handle toughly, but properly."
.@POTUS on Hamas: "They've been doing some shooting, and we think maybe the leadership isn't involved in that — that it's some rebels within — but either way... it's going to be handle toughly, but properly." pic.twitter.com/NbNlROBy09
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 20, 2025
US VP JD Vance may visit Israel
Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that he might travel to Israel soon to “check on how things are going.” He described the ceasefire as entering a stage of “fits and starts,” reflecting the administration’s cautious optimism about the truce’s endurance.
Vance says that a member of the Trump administration was “certainly” going to visit Israel “in the next few days” to monitor the situation. He does not confirm who that would be, but says, “it might be me.”
‘War of Revival’: Israel cabinet
The Israeli government on Sunday overwhelmingly approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to rename the Gaza conflict “The War of Revival,” replacing the previous title, “Swords of Iron", reported Times of Israel.
The move, backed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, has stirred controversy, with critics accusing Netanyahu of trying to distance himself from responsibility for failing to prevent the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that ignited the war.
Although the official name has now changed, many Israelis continue to refer to the conflict simply as the “October 7 war.”
Freed surviving hostages return to celebratory homecomings
Seven recently released hostages were discharged from Sheba Medical Center and greeted by crowds waving Israeli and American flags, as reported by Times of Israel.
Among them were the Cunio brothers, the Berman twins, and survivors of the Nova music festival attack. Their joyful reunions — marked by dancing, singing, and emotional speeches — underscored the deep public relief after two years of anguish.
New hostage remains identified
Israel identified two more hostages — Ronen Engel from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Thai agricultural worker Sonthaya Oakkharasri — whose remains were handed over by Hamas.
Both were believed killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war. So far, Hamas has returned 12 of the 28 bodies agreed upon under the ceasefire deal.
Cairo hosts urgent talks to advance ceasefire
Egypt, which helped broker the truce, is leading “round-the-clock” talks with Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Cairo.
Negotiators are working to stabilise the situation and move toward the next phase of the ceasefire — which includes Hamas’s disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawal from more areas, and the creation of an internationally backed governing authority for Gaza.
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