Gaza Ceasefire Faces Critical Test as Israel Strikes Hamas Positions After Soldier Deaths

Gaza's fragile ceasefire encountered a significant challenge Sunday when Israeli forces conducted a series of deadly strikes after reporting Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, leading to a temporary suspension of aid transfers into the territory.

Israeli military officials later announced the resumption of ceasefire enforcement, with an anonymous security official confirming that humanitarian aid deliveries would restart Monday.

The U.S.-proposed ceasefire, aimed at ending two years of conflict, has been in effect for just over a week. U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed the ceasefire remains intact, expressing his desire for a peaceful resolution while acknowledging Hamas has been "quite rambunctious" with "some shooting."

Trump suggested the violence might stem from "rebels" within Hamas rather than its leadership, stating the situation would be "handled toughly but properly." He noted the Israeli strikes were "under review" without explicitly justifying them.

Vice President JD Vance indicated he might visit Israel soon, mentioning the administration wants to "check on how things are going" while acknowledging there would be "fits and starts" in the ceasefire process.

Gaza health officials reported at least 36 Palestinian casualties across the territory, including children. Israel's military stated it targeted numerous Hamas positions after its troops came under fire.

An Egyptian official involved in negotiations revealed "round-the-clock" efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to take "strong action" against ceasefire violations without threatening full-scale war resumption.

Israel's military claimed militants had fired at troops in Israeli-controlled areas of Rafah according to agreed-upon ceasefire boundaries. Hamas denied responsibility, stating communication with its units in Rafah had been severed for months.

Palestinians expressed fears of renewed warfare in the famine-threatened territory where Israel had previously blocked aid for over two months after terminating the previous ceasefire.

Al-Awda hospital received 24 bodies from Israeli strikes in central Gaza's Nuseirat and Bureij camps. Additional airstrikes in Zawaida town killed at least six Palestinians, while attacks in Beit Lahiya and Khan Younis resulted in more casualties, including women and children.

Israel identified remains of two hostages released by Hamas: Ronen Engel from Kibbutz Nir Oz and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be'eri, both believed killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that initiated the conflict. Engel's wife and two children had been kidnapped and released during a November 2023 ceasefire.

Hamas has returned remains of 12 hostages in the past week. Its armed wing announced finding another hostage's body, promising its return if circumstances permitted while warning that Israeli escalation would impede search efforts.

Israel had closed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt "until further notice," pressing Hamas to fulfill its obligation of returning remains of all 28 deceased hostages. Hamas cited war devastation and Israeli military control as reasons for delayed handovers.

Israel has released 150 Palestinian bodies back to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday. Gaza's Health Ministry posts photos online to help families identify loved ones, with only 25 bodies identified thus far. Previous exchanges included 20 living hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.

A Hamas delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo to follow up on ceasefire implementation. Subsequent phases will address Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza areas, and future governance of the territory, with the U.S. plan proposing an internationally supported authority.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Kassem stated the group has begun discussions to "solidify its positions" while reiterating Hamas won't participate in post-war Gaza governance, calling instead for Palestinian technocrats to manage day-to-day affairs.

The conflict has claimed over 68,000 Palestinian lives according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants. Thousands more remain missing. The initial Hamas-led attack killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 abductions.