A ceasefire in Gaza has been re-established by Israel, paving the way for the resumption of humanitarian aid on Monday. The move comes after Israel temporarily suspended aid following accusations of Hamas militants firing on Israeli soldiers. In response to the alleged violation, the Israeli military conducted air and artillery strikes against Hamas positions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mandated a strong military response to any subsequent ceasefire violations. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Sunday’s aerial and artillery bombardments were a direct retaliation for shots fired at Israeli soldiers. Following these events, Netanyahu met with security leaders to emphasize the importance of a firm response to any further transgressions.
The situation also involves the ongoing effort to recover the remains of 28 hostages. Israel is closely monitoring Hamas’s compliance with returning these bodies. To date, Hamas has returned 13, of which 12 are confirmed Israeli hostages. However, Israeli officials state one body was not that of a captive. Hamas cites a lack of specialized equipment for locating further remains, while Israel suspects more bodies are being held.
Meanwhile, Hamas has announced that negotiations have commenced with international mediators regarding a potential second phase of the ceasefire. A Hamas representative stated that any new pacts would require broad national agreement and that the group aims to enhance its negotiating power. It was also explicitly stated that Hamas will not be part of Gaza’s future governing structure.