WEB DESK: President Donald Trump asserted that the ceasefire in Gaza remains intact, even as Israel conducted strikes in the territory and both sides exchanged accusations of violations. Israel announced it had renewed enforcement of the truce following a series of military actions.
Speaking aboard Air Force One late Sunday, Trump emphasized his desire for peace, stating, “We want to ensure that the situation remains peaceful with Hamas.” The Israeli military had launched strikes in response to what they claimed were Hamas attacks on Israeli forces in Rafah, southern Gaza.The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that they had initiated “renewed enforcement of the ceasefire” after testing its durability with recent military activity. Trump expressed that the United States believed Hamas leadership might not have been involved in the alleged breach, specifically regarding the killing of two soldiers beyond the “yellow line”—a boundary zone within Gaza that Israeli forces had withdrawn to during the initial stages of the truce.
When asked about the legitimacy of Israel’s strikes following the incident, Trump responded, “I’d need to get back to you,” adding that the situation was “under review” and would be “handled firmly but properly.”Concern grew that the fragile 10-day-old ceasefire could collapse. In response, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Reports also indicate that Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, are planning to visit the region.
A key issue threatening the peace process is Hamas’ failure to return all bodies of hostages held in Gaza, which has hindered progress toward a second phase of the agreement. The difficulties in recovering remains amid Gaza’s rubble have been acknowledged by both Hamas and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has facilitated hostage exchanges involving Palestinian prisoners.Another contentious point is the restriction of aid into Gaza. Israeli officials announced that aid would enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing, but the Rafah crossing remained closed, complicating relief efforts in the famine-stricken enclave.
The situation escalated on Sunday, with Israeli strikes killing at least 23 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Hamas denied involvement in the Rafah incident and accused Israel of fabricating “80 violations” of the ceasefire over the past week, which they say resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to send a “clear message” to Hamas through an “American oversight mechanism,” warning that any militant beyond the yellow line must vacate immediately. He added that anyone who stayed would be considered a target for attack, with Hamas leaders held responsible for any incidents.
The boundaries of the yellow line remain ambiguous for many Palestinians, with some reports indicating efforts to physically mark the withdrawal zone. Katz’s spokesperson shared footage of yellow blocks being placed along the boundary to clarify the line’s position.Families of missing or deceased loved ones continue to face distress, with some waiting for the remains of their relatives to be recovered. Orna Neutra, mother of IDF soldier Omer Neutra, whose body is held in Gaza, expressed her frustration: “Hamas isn’t fulfilling their part of the deal. Our son is still there.” She and her husband hope that Witkoff and Kushner’s visit will help locate and secure the release of hostages.
Meanwhile, relatives in Gaza are seeking to identify bodies returned by Israel, with some traveling to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, hoping to find their loved ones among the dead. Mohammad Al-Masri, searching for his missing son Haitham, fears he may have been detained by Israeli forces nearly two years ago, adding to the ongoing agony of families awaiting closure.
