Israel Strikes Gaza and Halts Aid After Accusing Hamas of Violating Fragile Ceasefire

JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY — Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across southern Gaza on Sunday and ordered an immediate halt to humanitarian aid deliveries, accusing Hamas of violating a fragile U.S.‑brokered ceasefire that had been in place for less than two weeks. The escalation, which Israeli officials described as a direct response to attacks on its soldiers in Rafah, threatens to unravel painstaking diplomatic efforts to end more than two years of war and plunges the region back into uncertainty.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said militants fired an anti‑tank missile and opened gunfire at troops operating in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, killing at least two soldiers and wounding several others. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and vowed a forceful response. Within hours, Israeli jets struck what the military described as Hamas tunnels, weapons depots, and command centers in Rafah and Khan Younis.

Gaza’s Hamas‑run health ministry reported at least 15 deaths from the strikes, including women and children, and dozens more wounded. Hospitals already strained by shortages of medicine and fuel struggled to cope with the influx of casualties. Hamas denied responsibility for the Rafah attack, accusing Israel of fabricating a pretext to resume hostilities.

The decision to halt aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings compounded the crisis. For the past week, limited shipments of food, fuel, and medical supplies had been allowed into Gaza under the ceasefire terms. With the crossings now sealed, humanitarian agencies warned of a looming catastrophe for the enclave’s 2.2 million residents, many of whom remain displaced after months of bombardment.

A Ceasefire in Tatters

The ceasefire, brokered earlier this month by U.S. President Donald Trump with support from Egypt and Qatar, was hailed as a breakthrough after nearly two years of relentless fighting that left tens of thousands dead and Gaza in ruins. The agreement called for a phased Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Gaza, the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, and the gradual resumption of humanitarian aid.

For nine days, the truce largely held. Israeli troops pulled back from several neighborhoods in Khan Younis, while Hamas released a final group of living hostages. Aid convoys entered Gaza for the first time in months, and families cautiously returned to shattered homes. International mediators spoke of a fragile but real opportunity to pivot toward longer‑term negotiations.

Sunday’s events shattered that fragile calm. The IDF said its troops were conducting “engineering operations” to dismantle tunnels in Rafah when they came under fire. Netanyahu convened his security cabinet within hours, declaring that Hamas had crossed a red line. “Israel will not tolerate attacks on its soldiers while we are implementing a ceasefire,” he said in a televised address. “We will respond with strength, and we will hold Hamas accountable.”

Hamas officials rejected the accusation. Izzat al‑Rishq, a senior member of the group’s political bureau, said in a statement that Hamas remained committed to the ceasefire and accused Israel of seeking excuses to prolong its occupation of southern Gaza. “The resistance did not carry out any operation in Rafah,” he said. “This is an Israeli fabrication to justify new aggression.”

The dueling narratives underscored the fragility of the truce and the deep mistrust between the two sides. Analysts warned that even if the violence subsides in the coming days, the credibility of the ceasefire has been severely damaged.

Humanitarian Fallout and International Reaction

The immediate suspension of aid deliveries drew alarm from humanitarian organizations. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said its warehouses in Gaza were nearly empty and warned that fuel shortages could force hospitals and water treatment plants to shut down within days. “The humanitarian situation was already catastrophic,” said UNRWA Commissioner‑General Philippe Lazzarini. “Cutting off aid now will push Gaza into an even deeper abyss.”

Doctors Without Borders reported that Al‑Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis were overwhelmed with casualties from the strikes. “We are running out of surgical supplies, and our staff are exhausted,” said Marie‑Noëlle Rodrigue, the group’s operations director. “If fuel deliveries stop, we will not be able to keep ventilators running.”

International reaction was swift. The White House urged restraint, with National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien saying the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about the escalation and calling on both sides to honor the ceasefire commitments. Egypt, which has played a central role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, warned that the renewed fighting could derail months of diplomacy. Qatar’s foreign ministry said it was in contact with both parties to restore calm.

European leaders expressed alarm as well. French President Emmanuel Macron called the strikes “a dangerous escalation” and urged Israel to reopen aid crossings. German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock said the ceasefire must be preserved “at all costs” and warned that renewed conflict would have “devastating consequences for civilians.”

A Region on Edge

The escalation in Gaza reverberated across the region. In Lebanon, Hezbollah praised Hamas and condemned Israel’s strikes, though it stopped short of threatening direct intervention. In Jordan, thousands of protesters gathered in Amman to denounce Israel and demand stronger action from Arab governments. Iran, a longtime backer of Hamas, accused Israel of “sabotaging peace” and vowed continued support for Palestinian resistance.

Inside Israel, the strikes reignited political debate. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of mishandling the ceasefire and warned that the renewed fighting would isolate Israel diplomatically. “We had a chance to consolidate a truce and bring stability,” Lapid said. “Instead, the government has chosen escalation.”

Netanyahu’s allies defended the response, arguing that Israel could not ignore attacks on its soldiers. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the military would “continue to act decisively against any threat” and insisted that Hamas bore full responsibility for the breakdown.

For ordinary Israelis, the events stirred a mix of anger and fatigue. In Tel Aviv, residents gathered in Rabin Square for a candlelight vigil honoring the soldiers killed in Rafah. “We want peace, but we cannot accept attacks on our sons,” said Yael Cohen, whose nephew is serving in Gaza. “It feels like this war will never end.”

The Road Ahead

The collapse of the ceasefire raises urgent questions about the future of the conflict. Diplomats had hoped the truce could serve as a stepping stone toward broader negotiations on Gaza’s reconstruction and a potential political settlement. With trust shattered, those hopes now appear distant.

Analysts say much will depend on whether the current escalation spirals into a full resumption of hostilities or remains limited. If Israel continues large‑scale strikes and keeps aid crossings closed, Hamas may feel compelled to retaliate more openly, triggering a cycle of violence that could erase the fragile gains of the past two weeks.

At the same time, international pressure on Israel is likely to intensify. The Biden administration faced criticism during earlier phases of the war for providing military support without sufficient conditions. With Trump now in the White House, the U.S. has taken a more direct role in brokering ceasefires, but Sunday’s events highlight the limits of American influence.

Regional actors such as Egypt and Qatar remain crucial, but their leverage is also constrained. Cairo fears instability on its border, while Doha has invested heavily in reconstruction aid. Both have incentives to preserve the ceasefire, but neither can compel compliance if the parties are determined to fight.

For Gaza’s civilians, the immediate concern is survival. With aid halted and airstrikes resuming, many fear a return to the darkest days of the war. “We thought the ceasefire would bring relief,” said Amal Abu Daqqa, a mother of three in Khan Younis. “Now we are back to fear and hunger.”

Conclusion: A Fragile Peace Shattered

The events of October 19 underscore the fragility of ceasefires in a conflict defined by deep mistrust and recurring cycles of violence. For Israel, the attack in Rafah was an unacceptable breach that demanded a military response. For Hamas, the strikes represent yet another example of Israel using force to impose its will. For civilians on both sides, the result is renewed suffering and uncertainty.

Whether the ceasefire can be salvaged remains unclear. What is certain is that the path to peace has once again narrowed, and the prospect of a lasting resolution feels more distant than ever. As diplomats scramble to contain the fallout, the people of Gaza brace for more hardship, and Israelis mourn their dead, the region stands on the brink of another prolonged confrontation.

Reporting by Nick Ravenshade. Original reporting and analysis NENC Media Group. Sources: The Week, MSN, BusinessDay, NBC News, USA Today, CNBC, Al Jazeera, Israel Hayom.