At least 33 Palestinians have been killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency, amid growing confusion over the status of the fragile ceasefire agreement.
The strikes hit several areas across Gaza overnight, including residential neighborhoods and refugee camps, leaving behind scenes of destruction and despair. Witnesses reported families trapped under rubble, as emergency workers struggled to pull survivors from collapsed buildings.
Despite the escalating violence, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire deal earlier this month, has insisted that the truce remains in effect, calling the situation “under control.”
Hamas Says Israel Violated the Ceasefire
The Hamas-run civil defence agency said the latest airstrikes were a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement and accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian areas.
“Thirty-three people, including children and women, were killed in Israeli aggression across Gaza,” a civil defence spokesperson said. “The world must hold Israel accountable for crimes against humanity.”
The spokesperson added that several hospitals have reached full capacity as casualties continue to arrive, with limited access to medical supplies and fuel worsening the crisis.
Videos posted online showed smoke rising over Gaza City and ambulances rushing through debris-strewn streets as rescuers searched for survivors.
Israel Says Strikes Were in Response to Attacks
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the strikes were in response to Hamas rocket fire and sniper attacks near the border fence earlier in the week.
“The Israel Defense Forces conducted targeted operations against terror infrastructure in Gaza after repeated violations by Hamas,” the statement read. “The IDF remains committed to the ceasefire but will act decisively to protect Israeli citizens.”
The military said it had warned residents to evacuate targeted areas prior to the attacks, a claim that local residents deny, saying they had no time to flee.
Trump: ‘Ceasefire Still Holding’
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington, Donald Trump reaffirmed his position that the ceasefire, signed earlier this month between Israel and Hamas, is “still holding.”
“The ceasefire is in place, and we’re monitoring it very closely,” Trump said. “Israel has the right to defend itself if attacked, but both sides have agreed to de-escalate. The situation remains stable.”
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions internationally, with some leaders expressing concern that the U.S. administration may be downplaying the humanitarian toll in Gaza.
Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
Gaza’s health officials report that the death toll could rise further as rescue teams continue to recover bodies from the rubble. More than 200 people have been injured in the latest wave of violence.
The United Nations has warned that the situation could spiral out of control if both sides fail to adhere to the truce.
“The loss of civilian life is devastating and unacceptable,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “All parties must recommit to the ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF also raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian conditions, saying that Gaza’s hospitals are “overwhelmed and under-supplied.”
Global Reaction
The renewed violence has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations and world leaders across the Middle East and Africa.
Egypt, which helped mediate the ceasefire deal, has called for “immediate restraint” from both sides, while Qatar and Turkey urged the international community to intervene before the conflict reignites into full-scale war.
In Kenya, several civil society groups and human rights advocates have joined global calls for peace, emphasizing the need for “humanity before politics.”
“The images from Gaza are unbearable,” said Amnesty Kenya in a statement. “Every child’s death is a failure of the international system.”
Ceasefire at Risk
Analysts warn that the ceasefire deal — which has been fragile since its signing — could collapse entirely if the strikes continue.
“The situation is extremely volatile,” said Middle East analyst Dr. Rania Khaled. “Each new airstrike makes the truce more meaningless. Without trust and accountability, peace will remain out of reach.”
Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the terms of the agreement, with neither side showing signs of backing down.
Calls for Renewed Diplomacy
As the death toll continues to rise, global leaders are urging renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent a wider conflict.
Trump’s insistence that the ceasefire is still active may help calm immediate tensions, but observers fear that on-the-ground realities tell a different story — one of loss, grief, and deepening hostility.
“Peace in Gaza will only hold when all sides value human life above political gain,” said UN envoy Tor Wennesland. “Right now, we are far from that.
