Trump blames 'some rebels' as Israel violates Gaza ceasefire
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has said that the ceasefire in Gaza is still holding, despite Israeli air strikes killing at least 45 people. The truce was brokered by Trump himself and started on October 10. When asked about the ceasefire violations, Trump blamed it on "some rebels within." "Either way, it's going to be handled properly. It's going to be handled toughly, but properly," he told reporters aboard Air Force One.
Mixed signals
'Some rebels within' might be breaching truce: Trump
However, when a reporter questioned him on whether Israel was justified in striking Gaza, Trump appeared confused, asking the reporter, "Striking where?" The reporter then replied, "In Gaza today and overnight," to which Trump responded, "I'd have to get back to you on that. I'd have to get back." Israel's government said on Sunday it struck "dozens of Hamas terror targets" across Gaza in retaliation to previous attacks against its troops by Hamas in southern Gaza.
Escalating violence
Hamas says no involved
According to Gaza's civil defense agency, the attacks killed at least 45 individuals, a figure corroborated by four local hospitals. Israel's military said it was "looking into" reports of civilian casualties and reaffirmed that it will "respond firmly to any violation" of the ceasefire. Hamas, on the other hand, said that it was not involved in any attacks and was committed to the ceasefire.
Fragile peace
Israel says ceasefire has resumed
On Sunday, the Israeli military said the ceasefire in Gaza had resumed after an attack killed two soldiers and prompted a wave of airstrikes that Palestinians said killed 26 people. Sunday's violence was the most violent event in Gaza since the US-brokered truce went into effect on October 10, ending two years of war that began with Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Aid
Aid to Gaza resumes on Monday
In response to the deadly attack on IDF troops, Israel had hinted at suspending humanitarian delivery to the enclave. According to an Israeli official cited by many publications, Israel "halted truck movement" into Gaza on Sunday "due to intensive bombings and dozens of casualties on the Hamas side." However, following US pressure, aid into Gaza will resume on Monday, an Israeli security source told Reuters shortly after Israel announced a halt in supplies.