The U.S.-backed ceasefire in the Gaza Strip barreled toward total collapse Sunday after Hamas terrorists killed two Israeli soldiers and Israeli forces responded with a wave of airstrikes on dozens of targets across the Palestinian enclave.
Israel also reportedly halted the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which was a key part of the deal implemented on Oct. 10.
The renewed clashes and the end of aid deliveries threaten to completely unravel the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, which President Trump strongly endorsed after intense U.S. diplomacy.
Mr. Trump heralded that deal as the end of direct hostilities in Gaza and as a broader step forward in the quest for peace across the Middle East. Mr. Trump spoke to Israel’s Knesset on Oct. 13 to celebrate the agreement and touted it as a “momentous breakthrough.”
Whether the ceasefire would hold was always a question, with doubts about whether Hamas leadership, even if it wanted to, could exercise control over various factions across Gaza, some of them violent.
After a string of incidents targeting Israeli forces over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his defense minister and other security officials and directed “strong action” against Hamas.
“Hamas continues to show that their barbaric and irresponsible actions are the biggest threat to the Israeli and Palestinian people. We will respond forcefully against their brutal rule and thwart their weakening grip on Gaza,” Mr. Netanyahu said in a statement Sunday.
Later Sunday, the Israeli military said it had resumed “enforcement of the ceasefire” with Hamas but stressed that it would strike back if Israeli soldiers came under fire again.
“The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,” the Israel Defense Forces said on X.
Israeli media reported that two soldiers, Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, 21, had been killed by terrorist operatives who fired rocket-propelled grenades at their vehicle in Rafah, which is in the southern portion of the Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt.
The IDF said terrorists attacked Israeli troops in Khan Younis on Saturday. On X, the IDF posted video footage purportedly showing Hamas terrorists approaching Israeli forces in the city of Beit Lahia. Israeli personnel reportedly came under additional grenade and sniper attacks in Gaza over the weekend.
After those incidents, the Israeli military resumed attacks against what is left of Hamas in Gaza.
“In response to Hamas’ blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement this morning, the IDF struck dozens of Hamas terror targets across Gaza,” the IDF said in a statement. “The strikes targeted weapons storage facilities, firing posts, terrorist cells and additional Hamas terror infrastructure. In addition, the IDF struck and dismantled [3.7 miles] of underground terrorist infrastructure, used to advance attacks against Israel, using over 120 munitions.”
Israeli media and other news outlets reported that airstrikes had targeted the Rafah area. Citing witnesses on the ground, Reuters reported heavy gunfire from Israeli tanks in the eastern town of Abassan near Khan Younis.
Hamas mediators reportedly traveled to Cairo on Sunday in an effort to save the ceasefire. Egyptian officials said “round-the-clock” talks were underway to de-escalate the spiraling situation.
Hamas leaders tried to distance themselves from the attacks on Israeli forces, including in Rafah. They said Hamas had been cut off from units there. In a statement, the Iran-backed terrorist group said: “We are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas.”
It’s unclear whether the resumption of hostilities will end Hamas’ efforts to return the remains of hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. All living hostages have been returned to Israel, but the return of the deceased hostages’ remains was another key component of the Trump-backed ceasefire deal.
Some Israeli political figures said the latest attacks on military forces necessitated a fierce response. Mr. Netanyahu apparently will have strong political backing for fresh operations.
“Hamas’ attack in Gaza demands a resolute response. Only this way are the rules of the game set,” said Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s Democrats political party.
“Absolute victory in the Gaza Strip requires building a moderate alternative government to Hamas — an issue that the government has abandoned and chosen absolute failure,” Mr. Golan posted on X, according to an English-language translation.
Separately, the Trump administration said Saturday that it had credible reports that Hamas could be planning new attacks on Palestinian civilians, including those who allegedly collaborated with Israel during the two-year conflict in Gaza.
“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” the State Department said.
Mr. Trump has warned Hamas against targeting Palestinian civilians.
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” the president said on social media last week.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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