The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States nearly three weeks ago, faced its deadliest collapse yet as Israel launched massive air strikes across Gaza — killing over 100 Palestinians, including 46 children — before announcing it would “resume” the truce hours later.
The Deadliest 24 Hours Since the Ceasefire
Late Tuesday into Wednesday, Israel struck more than 30 locations across the besieged Gaza Strip, claiming to target “terrorist command positions.” But witnesses and medical sources confirmed that residential areas were hit, wiping out entire families.
At least 18 members of a single family in central Gaza, including grandparents and children, were among the victims. Rescue teams again dug through the rubble with their bare hands to recover bodies.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 68,643 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 wounded since Israel’s war began in October 2023 — numbers that continue to rise despite the so-called ceasefire.
What Triggered the Latest Attacks?
The escalation followed an emotional controversy over the return of a captive’s body. On Tuesday, Israel said that the remains of a person handed over by Hamas through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did not belong to any of the 13 captives Israel expected.
Israeli forensic experts later identified the body as that of Ofir Tzarfati, an Israeli taken during the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. His partial remains had already been recovered in November 2023.
The revelation infuriated far-right Israeli ministers and groups representing the families of captives, who demanded immediate military action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by ordering “powerful strikes” on Gaza.
Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had planned to hand over another body that evening but delayed the transfer after the renewed bombardment began.
The Ceasefire Terms — and What Comes Next
The ceasefire, effective since October 10, was meant to halt hostilities and enable humanitarian aid. Under the deal:
- Hamas was to hand over all 20 living captives and the remains of 15 deceased Israelis.
- Israel would allow 600 aid trucks per day into Gaza — though actual deliveries have fallen far short.
- A second phase of the truce would allow international forces to stabilize the region and begin rebuilding Gaza.
But the truce has been repeatedly violated. Aid remains scarce, tents and mobile shelters are still blocked, and Israel continues to push for annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, rejecting calls for a sovereign Palestinian state.
Trump’s Continued Support for Israel
Despite mounting civilian casualties, U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to back Israel, describing the latest attacks as “necessary security measures.” His administration insists the ceasefire “remains in effect,” even as Israeli airstrikes resume across Gaza.
Observers say the ceasefire’s “second phase” — reconstruction and peace stabilization — now looks increasingly unlikely amid growing mistrust and bloodshed.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FLOWLESSKNOWLEDGE
Make Smart Tech & Finance Choices
Stay informed about global events and manage your finances smarter using free tools from our trusted partners:
- Loan Calculator
- Mortgage Calculator
- Credit Score Checker
- Car Loan Calculator
- Text to Speech
- Will Generator
- Age Calculator
- PDF to Word
- QR Code Generator
Click any link above to access the tool instantly — quick, free, and easy to use.