Recent clashes near Rafah have reignited questions over the durability of the Gaza ceasefire betweem Israel and Hamas.
According to Israeli media, armed militants opened fire on Israeli soldiers near the southern city of Rafah, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to launch targeted airstrikes against militant positions. However, Arabic media report that the Israeli army has committed 47 violations of the ceasefire agreement since it came into force in early October, killing 38 people and wounding 143.
Israeli officials described the incident as the latest violation of the ceasefire by Hamas, which they accuse of continuing military activity despite the truce. The IDF has not yet issued an official statement, but military sources said the response was “immediate and precise,” aimed at preventing further attacks.
Earlier, on Friday, the IDF reported that several armed men had emerged from a tunnel in Rafah and fired at Israeli soldiers. No injuries were reported, though the event heightened fears that large-scale fighting could resume.
Washington Warns of Possible Hamas Truce Violation
The US State Department said on Saturday that it had briefed the guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire about intelligence suggesting an imminent Hamas attack on Palestinian civilians.
Such an assault, Washington warned, would be a “serious and direct breach” of the truce and could jeopardize the progress achieved through months of mediation. The statement urged Hamas to meet its obligations and warned that measures would be taken to protect civilians and uphold the ceasefire if violations occur.
“The United States and the other guarantors remain steadfast in their commitment to civilian safety, regional stability, and lasting peace for the people of Gaza,”the statement read.
BREAKING 🔴
IDF has begun hitting terror positions in Rafah, after Hamas opened fire on IDF troops. Casualties reported on the IDF said.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 19, 2025
Hamas rejects US allegations about Gaza
Hamas swiftly rejected the US claims, calling them baseless and politically motivated. In an official statement, the group said the accusations were fabricated and intended to justify external interference.
The rejection came after Washington stated it had “credible information” indicating that Hamas was preparing to violate the truce with an attack on Gaza’s own population — an allegation Hamas firmly denied.
Trump’s warning adds pressure to Hamas
Before the State Department’s announcement, US President Donald Trump issued a direct warning to Hamas. In an October 16 social-media post, he wrote that if the group “continues killing people” in Gaza, “we will have no choice but to go in and eliminate them.”
The comment underscored Washington’s growing concern about renewed violence and signaled a tougher stance toward any party seen as undermining the ceasefire.
The United States has informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement of credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.
This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation…
— Department of State (@StateDept) October 18, 2025
Mounting concerns on the ground
In recent days, multiple incidents — some captured on video and shared online — have shown summary executions and clashes involving armed factions suspected of links to Israeli-influenced militias. The footage has fueled alarm among human-rights observers and further strained the already fragile truce.
Diplomatic analysts warn that without restraint and verified communication between all parties, the ceasefire could unravel, plunging Gaza back into open conflict.
