Israel Renews Ceasefire After Gaza Strikes; Trump Urges ‘Peaceful’ Approach With Hamas

Last Updated:October 20, 2025, 07:41 IST

Donald Trump, commenting on Israel’s latest military action, told reporters aboard Air Force One, “We want to make sure that it's going to be very peaceful with Hamas.”

Despite the truce, the latest surge in violence has pushed the total death toll in Gaza to 68,159. (AFP photo)

Israel has announced that it has “renewed enforcement" of the ceasefire in Gaza after launching a series of air strikes in response to what it called “blatant violations" of the truce by Hamas.

“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of significant strikes in response to Hamas’ violations, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire, in line with the terms of the agreement," the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a post on X. “The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it."

US President Donald Trump, commenting on Israel’s latest military action, told reporters aboard Air Force One, “We want to make sure that it’s going to be very peaceful with Hamas."

Earlier on Sunday, the IDF said it had carried out strikes on dozens of Hamas-linked sites across Gaza, including weapons storage facilities, firing positions, terrorist cells, and roughly six kilometres of underground tunnels allegedly used to plan attacks. The operation involved the use of over 120 munitions, according to the IDF.

The strikes followed what the Israeli military described as an escalation by Hamas in Rafah, where militants reportedly fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at IDF troops dismantling terror infrastructure under ceasefire terms. “These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly," the military said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the families of two Israeli soldiers — Major Yaniv Kula and Staff Sergeant Itay Ya’avetz — who were killed in the Rafah incident. “Their courage and heroism will be cherished in our hearts forever," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Media Office claimed that 97 people have been killed and 230 others injured since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10. It accused Israel of committing “80 blatant and clear breaches" of the truce and international humanitarian law.

Citing hospital sources, Al Jazeera reported that at least 42 Palestinians were killed on Sunday alone, making it one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered ceasefire began.

According to the Gaza health authorities, the overall death toll in the enclave has now reached 68,159, with more than 170,203 people injured since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023.

News world Israel Renews Ceasefire After Gaza Strikes; Trump Urges ‘Peaceful’ Approach With Hamas

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