Gaza City: The Israeli military on Wednesday, October 29, announced that the Gaza ceasefire was “back in effect” after it carried out a series of air and artillery strikes across the enclave.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on X that the operation was conducted in response to alleged Hamas violations of the truce.
“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of strikes in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck, the IDF has begun renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,” the post said.
The IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) said 30 senior Hamas operatives were killed in the attacks. The statement added that Israel would “continue to uphold the ceasefire and respond firmly to any violation.
On Tuesday night, October 28, at least 104 civilians, including 46 children and 20 women, were killed and 253 others injured, including 78 children and 48 women, in Israeli airstrikes across the enclave, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The bombardment targeted homes, tents for displaced families, a vehicle, and part of a hospital inside the so-called “yellow line”, where Israeli forces are deployed.
Netanyahu orders forceful strikes
This comes following an order from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who directed the military to “carry out immediate and forceful strikes” in Gaza after meeting his top security minister
Israel claimed the operation came in response to a ceasefire violation by Hamas, accusing the group of opening fire on Israeli troops in Rafah earlier in the day. However, Hamas denied any involvement, saying in a statement that it remained committed to the US-backed ceasefire.
The Israeli military confirmed that a 37-year-old soldier was also killed “in battle” in the southern Gaza Strip.
Minutes after Netanyahu’s order, Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, announced the postponement of a planned handover of a hostage’s body, citing “occupation violations.” The group said that any escalation would delay ongoing recovery efforts.
Netanyahu denounced the move, calling it a “clear breach” of the truce, which obliges Hamas to return all hostage remains without delay.
Trump says Gaza ceasefire not ‘jeopardised’ by Israeli strikes
US President Donald Trump, speaking on Wednesday morning, October 29, insisted that the ceasefire remained intact despite renewed violence.
“Nothing is going to jeopardise the ceasefire,” Trump said aboard Air Force One, en route from Japan to South Korea. “You have to understand, Hamas is a very small part of peace in the Middle East, and they have to behave.”
He defended Israel’s response, saying, “They took out an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis hit back — and they should hit back. When that happens, they should respond.”
The ceasefire, part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, took effect on October 10 after weeks of negotiations. However, Gaza’s authorities have accused Israel of repeatedly violating the agreement through continued military actions and restrictions.
Since the ceasefire was agreed, at least 211 Palestinians have been killed and 597 wounded in Israeli attacks, while 482 bodies have been recovered, the ministry said
Overall, the death toll in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has reached 68,643, mostly women and children, with more than 170,655 injured. Thousands remain missing beneath the ruins of bombed neighbourhoods as rescue crews struggle to reach trapped civilians.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the latest casualty figures and new information about the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
