Israel said it will uphold its ceasefire in Gaza after airstrikes killed 104 people, as both sides blamed each other. The strikes followed a Hamas attack that killed an Israeli soldier, prompting retaliatory air raids. Tensions rose in Gaza, where displaced residents feared the truce might collapse.
The Israeli military said it will respond firmly to any violations while continuing to respect the ceasefire agreement. Hamas denied responsibility for the soldier’s death and reaffirmed its commitment to the truce. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated the ceasefire remains intact, emphasizing Hamas must behave responsibly.
Read more: Israel resumes Gaza ceasefire enforcement amid renewed tensions
Gazan health authorities reported multiple casualties, including families hit in Bureij refugee camp, Sabra neighborhood, and Khan Younis. Witnesses described a night of explosions that recalled earlier waves of deadly conflict. Officials noted that the October 10 ceasefire had paused two years of war triggered by Hamas attacks on Israel.
A major component of the ceasefire involves the exchange of hostages and the return of remains. Hamas released all living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel halted its offensive, while both sides continue to negotiate the handover of deceased hostages’ remains, which remains a sensitive and contentious issue.
Read more: Israeli strikes kill 91 in Gaza; Trump says ceasefire unthreatened
The Israeli military also accused Hamas of staging false recovery efforts of hostage remains to create misleading impressions. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was unaware of any staged recoveries. Observers warn that any violations or misunderstandings could threaten the fragile truce and further inflame tensions in the region.