Journalism of Courage
Israel and Hamas traded blame on Wednesday for renewed violence in Gaza, where health officials said at least 104 people had been killed in Israeli airstrikes despite a ceasefire that both sides insist remains in place.
The Israeli military said it carried out limited strikes in response to an attack by Palestinian militants that killed an Israeli soldier late Tuesday but maintained it would “continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement” while responding firmly to “any violation.”
US President Donald Trump, whose administration brokered the ceasefire earlier this month, downplayed concerns that the truce could collapse. “Nothing is going to jeopardize the ceasefire,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One. “The Israelis were attacked and they hit back — and they should. Hamas has to behave.”
Gaza’s health ministry said 46 children and 20 women were among those killed since Tuesday’s escalation, though Reuters could not independently verify the figures. Videos from local hospitals showed bodies of women and children being carried for burial.
Residents of Gaza described a night of fear and uncertainty. “It was one of the worst nights since the ceasefire was signed,” Ismail Zayda, a father of three living in a tent camp in western Gaza City, told Reuters. “The explosions and drones made us feel the war had started again.”
Israeli officials said Hamas fighters had attacked troops stationed within the so-called “yellow line” — a deployment zone outlined in the ceasefire terms. Hamas denied responsibility, accusing Israel of violating the truce and insisting it remained committed to the deal.
The ceasefire, in effect since October 10, ended two years of conflict triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on Israel. The accord included the release of all surviving hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, as well as an Israeli military withdrawal.
A key clause requires Hamas to return the remains of all deceased hostages. Israel accused the group this week of staging a “fake recovery” after it said Hamas planted human remains at an excavation site before summoning the Red Cross.
The Israeli military released a 14-minute video showing men placing a white bag in the ground, later identified as containing remains of an Israeli killed during the initial Hamas attacks. While Reuters confirmed the location, it could not verify the timing or authenticity of the footage.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which helped retrieve the remains, said it had no knowledge the recovery was staged. “It is unacceptable that a fake recovery was staged, when so much depends on this agreement being upheld and when so many families are still anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones,” the ICRC said.
