The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has entered its second week under increasing tension. Although both parties claim to be committed to the agreement, new attacks and mutual accusations put the continuity of the truce, signed on October 10 with mediation from the United States and Egypt, at risk.
On Sunday (19), with air strikes on the Gaza Strip and temporary suspension of humanitarian aid. The Israeli government stated that the action was in response to the death of two soldiers shot by Palestinian militants in the south of the territory.
According to the newspaper The News York TimesGaza health authorities reported 44 Palestinians dead on the same day. Still, representatives of Israel and Hamas have publicly stated that they remain committed to maintaining the ceasefire.
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Cross accusations
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the attacks were motivated by a “flagrant violation” of the agreement. The army said Palestinian fighters fired an anti-tank missile and then opened fire on soldiers in the Israeli-controlled Rafah region.
Hamas denied responsibility for the attack. The group’s military wing claimed to have “lost contact” with fighters in that area months ago, while one of its leaders, Izzat al-Rishq, accused Israel of fabricating “weak pretexts” to justify the resumption of bombings.
At the end of Sunday, the Israeli Army announced that it had “reestablished” the ceasefire, after what it classified as a specific action to “eliminate threats”.
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On Saturday (18), the Israeli military had already confirmed an attack on a vehicle in northern Gaza, which had invaded an area controlled by the Army. Nine people died, including four children. According to family members, the car was carrying members of the same family who got lost while trying to leave the city.
Deadlock in Rafah
The temporary suspension of aid entering Gaza, decided by Israel, also reignited tensions. The ceasefire provides for the daily dispatch of up to 600 trucks with humanitarian supplies, but the operation was interrupted during Sunday’s attacks.
According to Israeli sources interviewed by NOWthe strike should last “only as long as the bombings persist”. The UN reported that since the beginning of the truce, the volume of aid has increased significantly, including the provision of food, fuel and medicine.
The United Nations humanitarian agency declared that “much more can be done” if new crossings are reopened, especially Rafah, between Gaza and Egypt. Israel, however, stated that the reopening will depend on Hamas fully complying with the agreement, especially in handing over the bodies of dead hostages.
Exchange of hostages and bodies
Over the past week, Hamas has returned 20 live hostages and 12 bodies to Israel. Israeli authorities identified among the victims Ronen Engel (54) and Sonthaya Oakkharasri (30), a Thai worker kidnapped in 2023.
The agreement provides for the return of 25 bodies of hostages in exchange for 150 dead Palestinians, in addition to the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners already carried out. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed it had received 30 bodies in two recent deliveries, without information on their identities.
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Israel claims that the exchange mechanism applies only to Israeli hostages, which has generated differences in the interpretation of the agreement.
Next phase
The second stage of negotiations should address more complex issues, such as the future government of Gaza, the delivery of weapons by Hamas and the Israeli military presence in the territory.
American and Egyptian diplomats are working to resume talks in Cairo. The Palestinian group sent a new delegation to Egypt on Sunday to discuss the impasses.
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Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Hamas of “reiterated violations” and demanded an immediate response from international mediators.
Behind the diplomatic scenes, sources involved in the negotiations say that the ceasefire could collapse at any moment if there is no concrete progress in releasing bodies and hostages, and in rebuilding Gaza.
