Trump states Gaza truce remains despite deadly Israeli strikes

October 20, 2025 / 8:38 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza was still in place, despite a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes on Hamas positions that killed at least 45 people. The strikes came after Israel accused Hamas of violating the nine-day-old truce by targeting its troops in southern Gaza.

Trump, who helped broker the deal, told reporters that the ceasefire “is still holding,” suggesting that any breaches may have been carried out by “some rebels within,” rather than Hamas leadership.

Renewed clashes and rising tensions

The Israeli military stated it was responding to anti-tank fire from Rafah, where two Israeli soldiers were killed during clashes. Hamas denied any ceasefire violations, accusing Israel of fabricating “pretexts” to resume fighting.

Gaza’s civil defence agency confirmed that at least 45 people were killed in Israeli strikes across the territory, with hospitals reporting dozens of casualties. The northern runway at the airport remains closed following the incident.

Humanitarian and political fallout

Following the renewed violence, Israel temporarily paused aid deliveries to Gaza, worsening humanitarian conditions already described as catastrophic by the United Nations, which has accused Israel of causing famine through repeated aid blockades.

Hamas has continued releasing hostages under the ceasefire deal, while Israel returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians, bringing the total to 150. Trump’s 20-point peace plan envisions Hamas’s disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza, but recent hostilities threaten to derail the fragile agreement.