Israel has launched a wave of airstrikes on southern Gaza, targeting areas in Rafah and Jabalia in what appears to be a ceasefire deal breakdown.
The airstrikes on Gaza come just one week after a United States-brokered ceasefire took effect.
The strikes, which Israeli officials described as a “firm response” to alleged Hamas attacks, have killed at least eight Palestinians and wounded dozens more, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The airstrikes come after a ceasefire agreement was reached on October 11. Recall that the ceasefire agreement came after a 20-point deal spearheaded by United States President Donald Trump.
Under phase one of the plan, Hamas was to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while Israel committed to withdrawing forces to a “yellow line” buffer zone and allowing 600 aid trucks daily into the besieged enclave.
However, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Gaza early Sunday and accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by carrying out attacks on its forces.
The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it had begun strikes in the Rafah area “to eliminate the threat” posed by militants and “dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity.”
Israel said it was acting “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement,” accusing militants of firing an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops in the area. These actions “constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly,” it said.
The statement reads: “Earlier today, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
“In response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity.
“These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly.”
An Israeli military official earlier accused Hamas of a “bold violation of the ceasefire” with incidents including a rocket-propelled grenade attack and a sniper attack against Israeli forces.
“Hamas carried out multiple attacks against Israeli forces beyond the yellow line,” the Israeli military official said, referring to the area where its military is now positioned inside Gaza under the first phase of the ceasefire.
Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed that the IDF would “act forcefully.” He said that “Hamas will learn the hard way today that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and prevent any harm to them.”
Also, Israel has announced its decision to suspend the delivery of aid into Gaza until further notice, a security official says.
“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has been halted until further notice, following Hamas’s blatant violation of the agreement,” the official says.
However, Izzat Al-Rishq, a senior member of Hamas‘ political wing, said the group “affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement,” accusing Israel of violating the agreement and working to “fabricate flimsy pretexts” to evade its responsibilities.
Hamas’ armed wing said it was “unaware of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area,” adding that the area was under Israeli control and that its contact with groups there had been cut off since the collapse of a previous ceasefire in March. It also affirmed its “full commitment to implementing everything that was agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire.”
The airstrikes on Gaza come in contrast to the recent declaration of Trump.
Recall that Trump, while addressing Israel’s parliament on Monday, October 13, 2025, declared that the war with Hamas had come to an end.
Trump declared that the “long, painful nightmare is finally over.”
The U.S. President also hailed the release of the last 20 living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, saying it is the beginning of a new era in the Middle East.
Speaking amid thunderous applause, Trump credited his administration’s relentless diplomacy for brokering the ceasefire that ended nearly two years of devastating conflict in Gaza.
“And as the dust settles, the smoke fades, the debris is removed and the ashes clean from the air, the day that breaks on a region transformed and a beautiful and much brighter future appears suddenly within your reach,” Trump addressed Israel’s parliament.
