586 dead since truce as Israeli drone strike kills two in Gaza

Two Palestinian men riding bicycles were killed in an Israeli drone strike on Tuesday near the ceasefire line in eastern Deir al-Balah, hospital officials said, underlining the continued violence in Gaza despite a truce in place since October 10, 2025. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital also reported receiving the body of a woman killed by Israeli gunfire in the central Maghazi refugee camp. Israel’s military did not immediately comment, though it has previously said its operations respond to ceasefire violations or threats to its forces.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said 586 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began , taking the overall death toll since the start of Israel’s offensive to 72,037 . The ministry’s casualty figures are widely regarded as reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though Israel disputes some of the data and does not issue its own comprehensive post-ceasefire tally.

The ceasefire has repeatedly been disrupted by Israeli airstrikes, drone attacks, and gunfire across the enclave. In recent weeks, multiple strikes have killed and wounded Palestinians in Gaza City, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and refugee camps including Maghazi and Bureij. The Israel Defense Forces say their operations target militants or respond to violations of the truce. On Tuesday, the military said it struck Hamas operatives near Rafah following a reported breach, killing four militants.

For many residents, the truce has brought little relief, with near-daily incidents reinforcing a sense that the war continues despite the agreement.

Some provisions of the ceasefire are, however, progressing. Movement through the reopened Rafah crossing with Egypt has increased, and plans for an international stabilization force are advancing. Indonesia is training between 5,000 and 8,000 troops for humanitarian and reconstruction duties, stressing they will not take part in disarmament .

Indonesia ’s leadership has reiterated support for reconstruction efforts under a broader peace framework, though key issues - including Israel’s withdrawal, Gaza’s future governance, and demilitarization - remain unresolved. A proposed stabilization force is expected to be deployed in later stages of the plan.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages. All hostages have since been returned through successive ceasefire agreements, enabling the current truce to move forward. The conflict has sparked worldwide protests and allegations of war crimes, which Israel denies.

While Israeli casualties, including soldiers and civilians, number in the thousands, Palestinian deaths remain vastly higher. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic services amid widespread destruction, intensifying criticism of the ceasefire’s limited impact on civilian life.