The Israeli military announced on Sunday that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip had been restored, after an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers triggered a wave of air strikes that Palestinians said left at least 26 dead. It is the most serious test yet of a ceasefire reached this month.
US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire he brokered remains in place, suggesting that the violations may not have been committed with the knowledge of Hamas leaders. “We think that perhaps the leaders were not involved,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Either way… it will be dealt with harshly, but appropriately.”
Trump added that he was not yet able to say whether the Israeli strikes were justified. “I’ll have to get back to you on that later,” he said.
An Israeli security source said aid deliveries to Gaza were expected to resume on Monday, following pressure from the US, shortly after Israel announced their suspension in response to what it called a "blatant" violation of the ceasefire by Hamas.
The Israeli military said it had struck Hamas targets throughout the enclave — including field commanders, gunmen, a tunnel and weapons depots — after the militants launched an anti-tank rocket and opened fire on its troops, killing two soldiers.
According to local residents and Palestinian health authorities, the airstrikes left at least 26 people dead, including at least one woman and one child. One of the strikes reportedly hit a former school housing displaced people in the Nuseirat area.
"We'll see what happens. We want to make sure that the situation with Hamas is as peaceful as possible," Trump said.
Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Israel on Monday, according to an Israeli and a US official.
The Hamas Armed Wing stated that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement, was unaware of the clashes in Rafah and had not had contact with the groups there since March.
