Amid recent attacks and humanitarian concerns, the ceasefire in Gaza persists but remains fragile, with US and Israeli officials working to stabilise the volatile situation and prevent a slide back into full-scale conflict.
President Donald Trump affirmed on Sunday that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains in effect despite recent significant attacks, including those attributed to Hamas violations. Speaking to the press aboard Air Force One en route to Washington, Tr...
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ump acknowledged incidents of firing, suggesting that some might have been carried out by internal rebels rather than Hamas leadership directly, but reassured that these would be dealt with firmly and appropriately. He maintained that the ceasefire continues to hold, underscoring the fragile but ongoing peace arrangement brokered under his administration.
The Israeli military confirmed resuming the ceasefire after responding to what it described as a series of significant attacks from within Gaza. According to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), they remain committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement while firmly responding to any breaches. However, Israel has suspended humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza starting from October 19, citing blatant violations of the ceasefire by Hamas, which has delayed the entry of critical relief supplies into the territory. This development, reported by both DW and EFE, highlights the tenuous nature of the agreement as outbreaks of violence continue to disrupt broader diplomatic efforts.
The recent flare-up of violence followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers in the southern Gaza border area, reportedly by Hamas militants. Israel launched airstrikes in retaliation, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Palestinians, including civilians such as women and children. Health officials in Gaza reported a higher casualty count in total—around 45 Palestinians killed in the strikes—emphasising the human toll of these clashes. Despite this, both the US and Israeli officials reinforced that the ceasefire remains operative, although it is described as fragile and liable to setbacks in this volatile environment.
US envoys, including presidential adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel with the mission of bolstering and stabilising the ceasefire. Their role is critical given the complex dynamics in Gaza and the challenges of enforcing the peace deal on the ground. Jared Kushner, in a recent “60 Minutes” interview, underscored the devastating impact of the conflict on Gaza, likening the destruction to that caused by a nuclear bomb. Both envoys highlighted the complexity of negotiating the ceasefire terms and securing the release of hostages, while also addressing and rejecting accusations against Israel of genocide in Gaza. The interview brought to light both the humanitarian goals behind the ceasefire and scrutiny over the envoys’ business ties in the Gulf region, particularly involving Qatar, a key player in the peace process.
The ceasefire agreement itself, initiated on October 10 and brokered by strong US involvement, included commitments by Hamas to release all hostages—both living and deceased. While 20 live hostages have been freed, only 12 bodies have been returned out of the 28 who died, with the remainder still unaccounted for beneath rubble caused by the conflict. The situation underscores ongoing challenges in achieving comprehensive resolution and justice.
Veteran Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, who took part in past negotiations such as the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, expressed cautious optimism amid these developments. He highlighted that while the ceasefire is fragile and violations occur, the diminished control of Hamas within Gaza and the potential for multinational peace monitors offer some hope for stabilisation. Baskin’s perspective reflects the delicate balance between hope and realism in the current cycle of conflict resolution efforts.
On the diplomatic front, US Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to travel to Israel shortly to oversee implementation of the ceasefire agreement. Vance acknowledged the inevitable “ups and downs” but expressed confidence that the peace deal would yield long-term stability.
Overall, the ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration represents a significant, if precarious, step toward de-escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, ongoing violations, humanitarian concerns, and the complex regional politics illustrate that this is a fragile peace requiring vigilant supervision and sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
