Ceasefire Tensions Rise as Israel Responds to Soldier Deaths in Gaza
GAZA STRIP – A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is facing renewed strain following the deaths of three Israeli soldiers in Gaza since the agreement took effect on October 10, ending a two-year conflict ignited by Hamas’s october 7, 2023, attack on Israel.Two soldiers were killed on October 19, and a third this Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, stated, “As I understand it, they killed an Israeli soldier.So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back,” while immediately adding that “the ceasefire will not endanger anything.”
The current ceasefire agreement stipulates the release of all living hostages held by Hamas in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian captives and prisoners of war, alongside an Israeli troop withdrawal behind an agreed-upon line and a halt to offensive operations. Hamas is also obligated to release the remains of all deceased hostages.
Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the handover of remains, alleging the group is being untruthful about its knowledge of the location of the bodies. Evidence supporting Israel’s claims emerged with the release of a 14-minute video captured by an Israeli army drone, appearing to show Hamas operatives burying and then “discovering” the remains of Ofir Carfati, a 37-year-old Israeli citizen killed during the initial October 7 attack, in front of Red Cross workers. Partial remains of Carfati were previously recovered and he was buried following the initial attack.
The hostage exchange and remains handover represent the first phase of a peace plan promoted by the American administration. The second phase calls for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power, a step the group appears to be actively delaying.
