After a brief period of fragile calm, the skies above Gaza lit up once again this weekend as Israel launched a series of airstrikes in response to what it called a “bold violation” of the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire agreement.
The strikes marked a worrying turn in a peace deal that had been in place for just over a week — one that both sides had hoped would finally bring a close to two years of bitter conflict.
Israel Accuses Hamas of Breaking the Ceasefire Agreement
According to the Israeli military, Hamas fighters opened fire on Israeli forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper rifles beyond the so-called “yellow line” buffer zone — an area that marks Israeli control under the peace deal.
An Israeli military spokesperson described the incident as “a blatant violation” of the ceasefire terms, adding that it happened in an area under Israeli jurisdiction.
Shortly after the attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it had begun “a wave of strikes” in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting what it called “terrorist infrastructure.”
Airstrikes reportedly hit areas in Rafah and Jabalia, while central Gaza also saw explosions in al-Zawaida, where a doctor from al-Aqsa Hospital told the BBC that six Palestinians were killed and seven others injured.
Hamas Denies Responsibility and Points the Finger Back at Israel
Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq pushed back on the accusations, claiming that Hamas remained committed to the ceasefire and instead blamed Israel for escalating the violence.
The ceasefire deal, signed on October 10 as part of the Trump peace initiative, had seen all 20 living Israeli hostages released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
But Sunday’s violence has once again placed that delicate agreement in jeopardy.
Reports from Hamas-affiliated media suggested the attacks were aimed at Yasser Abu Shabab, a leader of the Popular Forces militia — a Palestinian group that opposes Hamas and is allegedly supported by Israel.
Netanyahu Calls for Firm Action as Israeli Cabinet Holds Emergency Talks
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz met urgently to discuss the situation.
Netanyahu instructed his security chiefs to “act forcefully against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.”
The IDF confirmed that on Friday, “several terrorists” had opened fire on soldiers in Rafah, though no injuries were reported.
Later that same day, the military struck another group of suspected gunmen approaching Israeli forces in Khan Younis.
Israel’s far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for “full-scale combat” to resume in Gaza, urging the government to “act with maximum force.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed the sentiment, declaring “War!” in a social media post, after reports emerged that Hamas had breached the ceasefire.
The Trump-Brokered Deal Faces Its Toughest Test Yet
The peace plan, signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on October 13, was meant to mark a turning point.
Under its 20-point agreement, Israel began withdrawing its troops to the “Yellow Line,” effectively ceding control of parts of Gaza, while Hamas was to be excluded from any future role in governing the enclave.
But that truce now appears increasingly fragile. The U.S. government warned last week that it had “credible reports” suggesting Hamas was planning an imminent attack on civilians in Gaza — an act that Washington said would represent “a direct and grave violation” of the ceasefire.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that it had shared this intelligence with Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt — all of whom helped mediate the deal — but offered no further details on what kind of attack was expected.
Hamas and Local Militias Clash for Power Inside Gaza
Tensions have also been rising inside Gaza itself. Following Israel’s troop withdrawal, Hamas recalled around 7,000 members of its security forces as it struggled to reassert control.
The militant group has been clashing with local clans and rival militias in the territory, many of which have taken advantage of the power vacuum.
The U.S. issued a stark warning to Hamas, urging it to stand down and avoid any violence against civilians, saying that “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”
Donald Trump also weighed in on his Truth Social platform, warning Hamas that continued violence would have “severe consequences.”
“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal,” he wrote, “we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.”
He added, however, that U.S. troops would not be sent into Gaza.
Peace Deal Strains Over Hostage Remains and Prisoner Releases
The already fragile truce has been further strained by disagreements over the bodies of 28 deceased Israeli hostages.
While 12 bodies have been returned so far, Hamas claims it needs special excavation equipment to locate the remaining ones.
On Saturday, Israel received two additional bodies — identified as Ronen Tommy Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri — leaving 16 still inside Gaza.
In exchange for the release of hostages, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
Despite these developments, Netanyahu has stood firm, insisting that the war cannot truly end until Hamas gives up its weapons and relinquishes all control over Gaza — a demand that the militant group continues to reject.
The Road to Peace Grows More Uncertain
With both sides trading blame and violence flaring once again, the Trump-brokered peace plan now hangs by a thread.
What was once hailed as the dawn of a “new era of peace” has quickly turned into yet another chapter of mistrust and bloodshed.
For now, the ceasefire still stands — at least on paper — but the situation on the ground tells a very different story.