Israel’s military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was reinstated in Gaza after it launched a series of powerful airstrikes across the territory, killing at least 81 people, according to local hospitals. The strikes — the deadliest since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 — marked the most serious challenge yet to the fragile truce.
Netanyahu orders “powerful strikes”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the military to carry out “powerful strikes” after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement. The militant group responded that it would delay returning the body of another hostage, further straining the truce.
Trump defends Israel’s actions
While traveling in Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump defended Israel’s response, saying the country was justified in launching the attacks after an Israeli soldier was killed during a firefight in Rafah, southern Gaza.
“Israel has every right to hit back when its troops come under attack,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. He added that he remained confident the ceasefire would hold because “Hamas is a very small part of the overall Middle East peace. And they have to behave — or they will be terminated.”
Rising civilian death toll
At Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, director Mohammed Abu Selmia said 21 of the victims were women and children, and at least 45 people — including 20 children — were critically injured.
Other hospitals across Gaza reported similar casualties: Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah said it received 10 bodies, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported 20, and Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza confirmed 30 bodies, including 14 children.
Israel: “30 terrorist commanders targeted”
The Israeli military said its strikes targeted “30 terrorist commanders” operating within Gaza and confirmed it had notified the U.S. in advance of the operation. It later stated that it would continue to uphold the ceasefire but would “respond firmly to any violation.”
Chaos in Gaza hospitals
Ambulances and trucks carrying bodies crowded hospital entrances overnight. In Deir al-Balah, witnesses described scenes of devastation.
“They struck right next to us. We saw the rubble fall over our children,” said a woman standing outside the hospital.
At dawn, survivors searched through the remains of destroyed shelters. One woman, wrapping a small child’s body in a blanket, asked through tears, “What kind of ceasefire is this?”
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