Trump Affirms Gaza Ceasefire Remains Intact Despite Israeli Airstrikes

U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza remains in effect, despite a series of Israeli airstrikes following accusations that Hamas violated the truce.

Israel launched dozens of strikes on Hamas targets in southern Gaza after alleging that its troops were attacked in what it called a “clear breach” of the nine-day-old ceasefire. When asked by reporters if the truce was still in place, Trump replied, “Yeah, it is.”

The U.S. president, who helped mediate the agreement, suggested that any ceasefire violations were carried out by “rebels within” rather than Hamas leadership. “We want to make sure it’s peaceful with Hamas,” Trump said. “It’ll be handled firmly but properly.”

Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least 45 people were killed across the territory in the strikes, a figure confirmed by four local hospitals. The Israeli military said it was verifying reports of casualties.

The army stated it had “renewed enforcement of the ceasefire” but warned it would respond firmly to any violations. Hamas denied targeting Israeli forces, accusing Israel of creating “false pretexts” to restart hostilities.

According to a security official, Israel has also paused the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, citing the alleged ceasefire violations.

The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, ended more than two years of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. It included terms for hostage and prisoner exchanges and a roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction, though its implementation has faced challenges.

Israel confirmed that two of its soldiers were killed in clashes in Rafah, prompting retaliatory airstrikes and artillery fire. Witnesses in Gaza said fighting resumed in the city, with one resident describing the situation as “as if the war has returned anew.”

Images from central Gaza showed residents fleeing bombardments and wounded civilians arriving at hospitals.

Israel’s defense minister warned Hamas would “pay a heavy price for every attack,” while Hamas reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire, accusing Israel of violating the deal.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged Gulf nations to help build a “security framework” ensuring Hamas’s disarmament — a key component of Trump’s peace plan.

Under the arrangement, Israeli forces have withdrawn from parts of Gaza but still control about half the territory, including its borders. Hamas has released 20 hostages and is returning the bodies of those who died, while Israel has handed over 15 Palestinian bodies, bringing the total to 150.

The war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has killed more than 68,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry — figures the United Nations considers credible. Over half of the victims are women and children.

In Israel, 1,221 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the Hamas attack, according to official figures.