A U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza appeared to remain intact after Israeli airstrikes killed 26 Palestinians in response to the death of an Israeli soldier. The strikes targeted multiple areas, including the Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, and Khan Younis. Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump said the truce was “not at risk,” adding that Israel had a right to retaliate when attacked. The Israeli military confirmed the soldier’s death, while Hamas denied responsibility, saying it remained committed to the ceasefire deal that took effect on October 10.
Why It Matters:
The fragile Gaza ceasefire, which ended two years of devastating conflict, is a key test of regional stability and U.S. diplomatic influence in the Middle East. Any sustained escalation could collapse the truce, reignite large-scale hostilities, and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Trump’s remarks reaffirming Israel’s right to strike highlight Washington’s enduring alignment with Tel Aviv, even as civilian deaths raise international concern over proportionality and restraint.
The main actors include Israel, whose leadership insists on responding forcefully to attacks on its forces; Hamas, which denies violating the truce but remains under intense pressure to control militant activity; and the United States, which brokered the ceasefire and now faces the challenge of preventing its unraveling. Civilians in Gaza remain the most vulnerable, bearing the brunt of the violence, while regional powers closely watch for signs of a broader escalation that could destabilize ongoing peace efforts.
What’s Next:
Israel is expected to maintain a policy of measured retaliation, balancing deterrence with the risk of undermining the ceasefire. Washington will likely intensify diplomatic engagement to preserve calm while publicly backing Israel’s security stance. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, raising questions about how long the ceasefire can hold amid mutual mistrust and sporadic flare-ups.
With information from Reuters.
