Renewed Clashes Challenge Gaza Ceasefire as Israel Temporarily Halts Aid

Gaza’s fragile ceasefire faced its first major test on Sunday as Israeli forces carried out airstrikes following reported attacks by Hamas militants, while the transfer of aid into the territory was briefly paused.

The military later reported that it had resumed enforcement of the ceasefire, and an Israeli security official confirmed that aid deliveries were expected to continue Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The renewed fighting comes just over a week after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, aimed at ending more than two years of conflict. There was no immediate comment from the United States.

Casualties and Strikes in Gaza

Health authorities in Gaza reported at least 36 Palestinian deaths, including children, from Israeli strikes. The Israeli military said it targeted dozens of Hamas positions after its troops came under fire in areas near Rafah, part of the agreed ceasefire lines.

A senior Egyptian official involved in ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” diplomatic efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions. The official spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to brief the media.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strong action” against any violations but did not issue threats of returning to full-scale war. Hamas, meanwhile, accused Israel of multiple ceasefire breaches and stated that it had been unable to communicate with some of its units in Rafah for months. “We are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas,” the group said.

Impact on Civilians

Residents expressed concern that the renewed violence could escalate, further straining humanitarian conditions in the territory. Mahmoud Hashim, a father of five in Gaza City, called on U.S. and international mediators to intervene.

Medical facilities reported multiple casualties from airstrikes. Al-Awda hospital received 24 bodies from strikes in central Gaza, including Nuseirat and Bureij camps. An airstrike in Zawaida killed six, and two men were killed in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, according to Shifa Hospital. In southern Gaza, a strike on a tent in Muwasi, Khan Younis, killed at least four, including two children.

“Where is peace?” asked Khadijeh Abu-Nofal from Khan Younis as she assisted hospital staff treating wounded children.

Hostage Remains Identified

Israel confirmed the identification of two hostages released by Hamas overnight: Ronen Engel, a father from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri. Both are believed to have been killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war. Engel’s wife and two of his three children were previously kidnapped and released under a ceasefire in November 2023.

Hamas has returned the remains of 12 hostages in the past week. The group’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it located another hostage and planned to hand over the body if security conditions allowed, warning that any Israeli escalation could disrupt recovery efforts.

Israel has pressed Hamas to complete the return of all 28 deceased hostages. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remained closed Saturday pending progress on the exchange. Israel has released 150 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday. Only 25 of the returned bodies have been identified. Earlier exchanges included 20 living hostages traded for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

Ceasefire Implementation and Governance Talks

A Hamas delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo to advance discussions on the ceasefire. The next phase of talks is expected to address disarming Hamas, further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and future governance arrangements. U.S. mediators have proposed establishing an internationally backed administrative authority.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem stated that the group is engaged in discussions to “solidify its positions” and reiterated that it would not participate in postwar governance, calling instead for the creation of a Palestinian technocratic body to manage daily affairs. “Government agencies in Gaza continue to perform their duties, as the power vacuum is very dangerous,” he added.

Casualty Figures and Humanitarian Situation

The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 68,000 deaths in the conflict, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. Israel has challenged these figures but has not provided an official toll. Thousands more are reported missing, according to the Red Cross.

Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted 251 individuals during the initial attack in October 2023 that triggered the current war.

Source: AP News – Renewed fighting tests Gaza ceasefire and Israel briefly halts aid