Israeli attacks in Gaza in first major test of new truce. Gaza officials report dozens of deaths / IDF claims it was retaliation for attacks on its troops
Image from the Khan Younis area, in the context of the Israeli attacks in Gaza on Sunday, October 19, 2025. Credit: Ali Jadallah / AFP / Profimedia
Israel launched a series of attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday and said it was halting the flow of aid to the enclave in response to attacks on its forces that killed two soldiers, in what Reuters described as the most serious test yet of the US-brokered ceasefire deal.
The Gaza Civil Defense Agency claims that the Israeli attacks on Sunday killed at least 33 people, AFP notes.
The Israeli military says it struck Hamas targets across the enclave, including commanders, gunmen, a tunnel and weapons depots, after the militants fired an anti-tank missile and fired on its troops, killing two Israeli soldiers.
At least one attack hit a former school in the Nuiserat area that housed displaced people, residents said.
Hamas's armed wing said it remained committed to the cease-fire agreement, was not aware of the clashes in Rafah and had not been in contact with the groups there since March.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu said he had ordered the army to respond firmly to what he described as ceasefire violations by Hamas.
The flow of aid to Gaza has been halted
An Israeli security official said the transfer of aid to Gaza had been halted until further notice, following what it said was a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas.
However, Israeli media reported that the flow of aid would resume on Monday, following American pressure. Axios, citing a US official, reported that Israel informed Washington that it would reopen a border crossing to Gaza on Monday morning.
The Israeli attacks recalled Israel's retaliation for what it considered serious violations of the end-2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah, Hamas's Lebanese ally. The spate of attacks since then came less than a week after the accord took effect and came after days of mutual accusations of breaching the deal. Since then, the agreement has largely been maintained.
In Gaza, a truce collapsed in March after nearly two months of relative calm when Israel launched a series of airstrikes.
