Gaza Ceasefire Restored After Israeli Airstrikes Kill 104/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel’s military announced the ceasefire with Hamas is back in effect after overnight airstrikes killed 104 Palestinians, including 46 children. The strikes followed the death of an Israeli-American soldier in Rafah and Israel’s accusation that Hamas violated the truce. Tensions remain high as both sides trade blame while funeral prayers unfold across Gaza.
Gaza Ceasefire Strikes Quick Looks
- Israel resumes ceasefire after Gaza airstrikes kill 104 people overnight.
- 46 children were among the dead; over 250 others were injured.
- Strikes followed the death of an Israeli-American soldier in Rafah.
- Israel accuses Hamas of violating ceasefire by delaying hostage returns.
- Hamas denies involvement in the soldier’s death and blames Israel.
- U.S. President Trump defends Israel’s military response.
- Ceasefire remains fragile amid ongoing accusations and rising casualties.
- Gaza hospitals overwhelmed; families hold mass funeral prayers.
- Survivors describe scenes of chaos and destroyed shelters.
- Ceasefire’s next phases hinge on disarmament, security control, and governance.
Deep Look: Ceasefire Reinstated After Gaza Strikes Kill Over 100 in Deadliest Attack Since Truce Began
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — October 29, 2025 — Israel’s military confirmed Wednesday that a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is back in place, hours after the deadliest airstrikes since the truce began killed 104 people overnight in Gaza. According to Palestinian health officials, the strikes claimed the lives of 46 children and left 253 others injured, mostly women and children.
The military campaign was launched in response to what Israel described as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas, following the return of partial hostage remains and the fatal shooting of an Israeli soldier in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the decision, saying the handover of body parts and the killing of the soldier, who also held U.S. citizenship, were both breaches of the truce. The military described the strikes as a necessary reaction to protect Israeli forces and deter further attacks.
Retaliation Follows Soldier’s Death
The soldier, identified as Master Sgt. Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, was killed when gunfire targeted his vehicle during operations in Rafah. An Israeli official said troops were engaged in dismantling tunnels and Hamas infrastructure when they came under repeated attacks.
Hamas denied any role in the shooting and instead accused Israel of violating the truce. The group announced it would delay the handover of another hostage’s body due to the airstrikes.
Despite the tension, the Israeli military stated that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement but will respond forcefully to any violations. “We will uphold the ceasefire,” a military spokesperson said, “but reserve the right to defend our soldiers and citizens.”
Disputed Ceasefire Violations
The situation escalated after Israel received partial remains of a hostage earlier in the week. Netanyahu labeled the act a violation of the agreement, which stipulates that Hamas must promptly return all hostage remains. Israeli officials also claimed Hamas staged the return of the remains, presenting an edited 14-minute drone video they say supports their allegation.
Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, placed full responsibility for the consequences of the strikes on Hamas. He stated that civilians were caught in the crossfire because the militant group uses them as human shields.
The Israeli government notified the U.S. ahead of the strikes, and President Donald Trump, speaking from Asia, voiced support for Israel’s actions. “They should hit back when attacked,” Trump said, adding that Hamas needs to “behave” or risk being “terminated.”
Funeral Prayers and Hospital Chaos
Across Gaza, hospitals struggled to manage the influx of casualties and bodies. In Gaza City, Shifa Hospital received 21 bodies and treated 45 people in critical condition, including 20 children.
Deir al-Balah’s Aqsa Hospital reported 10 bodies, most of them children and women. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received 20 dead, including 13 children, while Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza recorded 30 bodies, 14 of whom were children.
Bodies arrived in ambulances, trucks, and even carried by hand. Families gathered at hospitals and makeshift morgues, holding funeral prayers amid overwhelming grief.
“These are massacres,” said Haneen Mteir, who lost her sister and nephews in Khan Younis. “They burned children while they were asleep.”
Yehya Eid wept over the body of his nephew, wrapped in a blood-stained shroud outside Al-Awda Hospital. “These are children who were killed,” he said. “What did they do wrong?”
In the early hours, displaced residents searched through rubble for survivors and recovered the body of a child near a destroyed tent camp. “What kind of a ceasefire is this?” asked Amna Qrinawi, surveying the aftermath.
Ceasefire’s Future Remains Uncertain
The strikes further complicate already stalled negotiations surrounding the next phases of the ceasefire. Those talks are expected to cover Hamas’s potential disarmament, the establishment of an international security presence in Gaza, and long-term governance of the territory.
Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the return of 13 remaining hostage bodies still believed to be in Gaza. Hamas, in turn, says the destruction from previous airstrikes makes recovery efforts nearly impossible and accuses Israel of using the issue as a pretext for renewed military action.
Marmorstein said Hamas is actively resisting disarmament efforts, which is a key pillar of any enduring ceasefire or post-war roadmap. “Hamas is trying to do everything possible to avoid disarming,” he said.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights the fragile nature of the truce and raises questions about the enforceability of ceasefire terms amid mutual distrust. Although the ceasefire has now technically resumed, the return to deadly violence — even temporarily — underscores how quickly the situation in Gaza can spiral out of control.
The mounting civilian toll, including the deaths of dozens of children, has sparked renewed international concern. Aid groups warn that Gaza’s medical infrastructure is nearing collapse and that ongoing instability could trigger a deeper humanitarian crisis.
As the region braces for the potential collapse of peace efforts, the path forward remains uncertain. Both sides continue to blame each other, and with critical issues like hostages, disarmament, and governance unresolved, the chances of sustained calm remain tenuous.
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