The fragile cease-fire brokered by the United States between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas has weathered its first serious challenge, as both sides reaffirmed their commitment despite renewed violence in Gaza.
On Sunday, two Israeli soldiers were killed during what the IDF described as hostile fire and a missile attack near Rafah, a rare strike on Israeli troops since the truce began. In response, Israeli warplanes and artillery struck targets across Gaza, with Palestinian hospital officials reporting at least 44 people killed.
Late in the day, the IDF announced it would “begin renewed enforcement of the cease-fire,” signaling that the truce remains in place — for now. Meanwhile, Hamas and its armed wing denied direct involvement in the attack, blamed other actors, and reiterated their commitment to the deal.
Washington, which helped broker the agreement, sent emissaries Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to the region this week, and Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to lead a U.S. delegation to Israel shortly. Their mission: keep the truce from unraveling.
A key component of the cease-fire is humanitarian access. Israel suspended aid deliveries into Gaza during the retaliation but quickly reversed course under U.S. pressure, telling aid would continue Monday, though the important Rafah crossing remains closed.
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Still, the episode underscores how delicate this truce is. Political pressure inside Israel, especially from far-right voices, is already mounting for a full return to war. And in Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with widespread fears the pause could collapse into renewed fighting.
For now, the truce holds — but both sides have signalled that any further violation could rapidly unravel the deal. The next 48–72 hours may tell whether this pause becomes the foundation of a broader peace or merely a brief interlude in a long war.
