The fragile ceasefire meant to end Israel’s two-year war on Gaza is teetering on the brink of collapse. Despite the truce brokered by the United States on October 10, Israeli forces have continued to bomb Gaza and open fire on Palestinians, raising fears that the temporary peace may already be broken.

Renewed Violence Despite Ceasefire

Since the agreement took effect, nearly 100 Palestinians have been killed and more than 230 injured, including several women and children, according to reports from Gaza. Hospitals remain overwhelmed as medical teams struggle to treat casualties amid restricted humanitarian access and the continued closure of the Rafah crossing.

On Sunday, Israel claimed that Hamas fighters attacked its soldiers in the Rafah region, which remains under Israeli control. In response, the Israeli military launched what it described as a “massive wave of airstrikes” across multiple parts of the Gaza Strip.

However, Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, denied any involvement in the alleged clash, saying it had no active fighters in Rafah and accused Israel of fabricating excuses to resume attacks.

Accusations and Counterclaims

The renewed violence has sparked a wave of mutual accusations. Israeli officials insist that Hamas has breached the terms of the ceasefire, while Palestinian groups argue that Israel never fully observed the truce to begin with — continuing to enforce a blockade and restrict humanitarian aid.

Israel has also accused Hamas of delaying the return of 28 Israeli captives’ bodies, claiming the group is withholding them in violation of the agreement. Hamas, in turn, stated that many bodies — both Israeli and Palestinian — remain buried under the massive rubble left by Israeli air raids. The group has requested heavy machinery to recover them safely, saying over 10,000 Palestinians are still missing beneath collapsed buildings.

The Human Cost of a “Ceasefire”

The war on Gaza, which international organisations and a UN commission have described as a genocide, has left an unprecedented humanitarian toll. Since October 2023, more than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and 170,000 wounded in Israeli air and ground attacks.

In contrast, 1,139 Israelis died in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and around 200 people were taken hostage — an event that triggered the ongoing conflict.

Aid Still Blocked, Peace Still Distant

Despite the ceasefire announcement, aid delivery remains heavily restricted, and Gaza’s reconstruction has yet to begin. The Rafah crossing — Gaza’s main gateway to Egypt — remains closed, leaving displaced Palestinians stranded and vital relief supplies delayed.

With both sides accusing each other of violations and international mediators struggling to restore order, the future of the Gaza ceasefire looks increasingly uncertain.