Israel halts Gaza aid transfer as ceasefire faces major test

The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major test on Sunday, as an Israeli security official announced that the transfer of aid into the territory is halted “until further notice” following a Hamas ceasefire violation, while Israeli forces launched a wave of strikes. The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement, just over a week after the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war.

Israel's military reported that its troops came under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza earlier Sunday. Health officials said at least 19 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in central and southern Gaza. The military stated that it had struck dozens of what it called Hamas targets.

A senior Egyptian official involved in ceasefire negotiations said “round-the-clock” contacts were underway to deescalate the situation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations but did not threaten a return to full-scale war.

The Israeli military said militants fired at troops in areas of Rafah city under Israeli control according to the agreed ceasefire lines, with no injuries reported. Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery. Hamas, which continues to accuse Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, stated that communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and claimed it was “not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas.” Shortly before sunset, the Israeli military announced a series of airstrikes in southern Gaza targeting what it described as Hamas positions, and reported strikes on “terrorists” approaching troops in Beit Lahiya in the north.

Strikes in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike on a makeshift coffeehouse in Zawaida town, central Gaza, killed at least six Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government. Another strike near the Al-Ahly soccer club in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least two people and wounded eight, according to Al-Awda Hospital. The hospital also received the bodies of four people killed in a strike on a school sheltering displaced families in Nuseirat, as well as one person killed in a strike at a charging point west of the town. A further strike in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis killed at least four people, including a woman and two children, according to Nasser Hospital. The strike in Beit Lahiya killed two men, said Shifa Hospital. An Israeli military official noted three incidents on Sunday—two in southern Gaza and one in the north but clarified that the update was partial.

Hostage Remains Identified

Israel identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight. Netanyahu’s office said the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri, both believed killed during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Engel’s wife and two of his three children were kidnapped and released in a ceasefire in November 2023. Hamas has handed over the remains of 12 hostages over the past week.

Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had located another hostage’s body and would return it “if circumstances in the field allowed", warning that any escalation by Israel could hinder the process. Israel, meanwhile, pressed Hamas to return the remains of all 28 deceased hostages and stated that the Rafah border crossing would remain closed “until further notice.” Hamas cited the war’s devastation and Israeli military control of certain Gaza areas as reasons for delays, while Israel believes Hamas has access to more bodies than it has returned. Israel has released 150 bodies of Palestinians back to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday, though neither the identities nor causes of death have been provided. The Health Ministry has identified only 25 of these bodies.

Following the exchange of 20 living hostages for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, the handover of remains and the scale-up of humanitarian aid remain central to the ceasefire’s first phase.

Ceasefire’s Second Phase

A Hamas delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo to follow up on implementing the ceasefire with mediators and other Palestinian groups. The next stages are expected to focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional Gaza areas, and future governance of the territory. Hamas spokesman Hazem Kassem said the second phase requires national consensus and that Hamas has begun discussions to solidify its positions. He reiterated that Hamas will not participate in a postwar ruling authority but called for the prompt establishment of a Palestinian technocratic body to manage day-to-day affairs, noting the danger of a power vacuum if left unaddressed.

Rafah Border Crossing

The Rafah crossing, previously the only one not controlled by Israel, has been closed since May 2024 when Israel took control of the Gaza side. A fully reopened crossing would allow Palestinians to seek medical treatment, travel, or visit family in Egypt, home to tens of thousands of Palestinians. On Sunday, the Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry in Ramallah announced procedures for Palestinians wishing to enter or leave Gaza through Rafah. Those leaving Gaza will receive temporary travel documents from Palestinian Embassy staff in Cairo, while those entering Gaza must apply via the embassy.

The Israel-Hamas war has killed over 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Thousands more remain missing, according to the Red Cross. Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war.