Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the deadliest day of violence since a ceasefire took effect earlier this month, after accusing Hamas of violating the truce through military attacks and deception over hostage remains. The escalation has raised fears of a collapse in the fragile US-brokered agreement, with dozens killed and hundreds injured in overnight strikes.
On October 28-29, 2025, Israeli forces conducted intense airstrikes across Gaza, targeting areas including Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah. According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, at least 81 Palestinians were killed, including 22 children, and over 200 people were injured. The attacks struck homes, the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital, and tents sheltering displaced families, creating a catastrophic situation for emergency responders who struggled to operate amid resource shortages and ongoing bombardment.
The ceasefire, which began on October 10, 2025, was brokered by the United States with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, aiming to end a two-year conflict that has claimed over 68,500 lives in Gaza. It included provisions for the return of hostage remains and a reduction in hostilities, but has been marred by repeated violations from both sides. Before the latest strikes, Gaza authorities accused Israel of 80 ceasefire breaches, resulting in 97 Palestinian deaths and 230 injuries since the truce started.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after a firefight between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in Rafah, and following allegations that Hamas staged a fake recovery of a hostage’s body. Israel claimed that Hamas handed over remains belonging to Ofir Tzarfati, a body already recovered in 2023, describing it as a ‘deception plot’ and a clear violation of the agreement. The Israeli military published drone footage purportedly showing Hamas members burying and then excavating a body to mislead mediators.
Hamas denied responsibility for the gun attack and accused Israel of fabricating false pretexts to justify aggression. The group postponed a planned handover of another hostage’s remains, citing Israeli obstructions to excavation work in Gaza. Hamas reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire but criticized Israel for impeding humanitarian efforts and violating the truce, emphasizing that its weapons are tied to the ongoing occupation and aggression.
International reactions highlighted the delicate state of the ceasefire. US Vice-President JD Vance stated that the agreement is holding despite ‘skirmishes,’ while President Donald Trump affirmed that Israel should respond if its soldiers are attacked. Turkey condemned the strikes as an open violation of the ceasefire, and the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed concern over the staged recovery incident, calling it unacceptable and urging both parties to uphold their commitments.
The renewed violence has instilled widespread fear among Gaza’s residents, many of whom are displaced and facing severe humanitarian conditions. Streets emptied as people hurried to shelters, and markets closed prematurely amid the threat of further attacks. The strikes exacerbate an already dire situation, with thousands of patients, including children, awaiting medical evacuations due to inadequate healthcare facilities in the strip.
This escalation tests the durability of the ceasefire, with far-right ministers in Israel, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, calling for a resumption of war. Mediators are working to de-escalate tensions, but mistrust remains high, and the incident underscores the challenges in achieving a lasting peace. The future of the ceasefire depends on both sides adhering to the agreement, including the return of all hostage remains and steps toward disarmament and reconstruction.
In the broader context, the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s military response, has seen periodic ceasefires collapse due to similar escalations. The current truce is part of Trump’s peace plan, but its implementation has been fraught with difficulties, highlighting the deep-rooted issues in the region and the urgent need for sustained diplomatic efforts to prevent further loss of life.