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The latest escalation threatens to undo the nine-day-old ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump earlier this month

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came under renewed strain on Sunday just nine days after it began, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the truce as fresh violence erupted in southern Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it carried out airstrikes and artillery fire in the Rafah region after its troops came under attack earlier in the day.

In a statement, the army said, “In response to the blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement earlier today, the IDF (military) has begun a series of strikes against Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip."

🎥WATCH: Several armed terrorists identified approaching IDF forces operating in the Beit Lahia area behind the yellow line, posing an immediate threat to the troops.In accordance with the ceasefire agreement, the terrorists were struck after crossing the yellow line.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 19, 2025

Israel halts aid shipments

Israel has closed its crossing points into Gaza for humanitarian aid convoys, a security official told AFP on Sunday, blaming Hamas for breaking the truce.

“The transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has been halted until further notice, following Hamas’s blatant violation of the agreement," the official said.

Gaza’s civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, said at least 13 people were killed in the latest attacks. The Israeli military said it was checking reports of civilian casualties.

The renewed fighting comes just over a week after a US-brokered ceasefire, led by President Donald Trump, brought a pause to more than two years of war. The truce deal included the return of hostages, the recovery of bodies, and a limited Israeli pullback from parts of Gaza.

However, tensions have remained high, especially around Rafah, where clashes broke out again on Sunday. One resident told news agency AFP that Hamas fighters were initially clashing with a local gang before Israeli tanks appeared. “The air force conducted two strikes from the air," he said.

Both sides blame each other

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the truce and ordered strong military action. “Terrorist targets will be hit hard," his office said. Defence Minister Israel Katz added that Hamas would “pay a heavy price" for every breach.

In a statement, Izzat Al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire, accusing Israel of repeatedly breaching the “agreement and fabricate flimsy pretexts to justify its crimes"

Hamas’s armed wing insisted that the group was adhering to the truce and claimed to have “no knowledge" of any clashes in Rafah.

Hostage talks and border closures

Under the agreement, Hamas has so far released 20 surviving hostages and handed over the bodies of others. On Sunday, Israel confirmed it had received the remains of Ronen Engel, an Israeli photojournalist, and Thai farmworker Sonthaya Oakkharasri, both killed in the 7 October Hamas attacks.

Israel also returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza, bringing the total to 150.

However, talks have slowed, especially around the return of more bodies. The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed, which has blocked humanitarian aid. Netanyahu’s office said the crossing will only reopen if Hamas fully respects the ceasefire and completes the return of hostages and remains.

On Saturday, Hamas had warned that the closure of Rafah crossing would cause “significant delays in the retrieval and transfer of remains".

(With inputs from agencies)

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First Published:

October 19, 2025, 21:28 IST

News world Israeli Airstrikes Against Hamas Targets Shatter Fragile Truce, Gaza Aid Stopped | Updates

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