Israel Accused of 47 Ceasefire Violations Since US-Brokered Truce Began

Since the US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10, 2025, Israel has been accused of violating the agreement 47 times, resulting in at least 38 Palestinian deaths and 143 injuries, according to Gaza's media office. The office condemned Israel's actions, stating, "These violations include direct gunfire against civilians, deliberate shelling, and arrests, reflecting Israel’s ongoing aggression despite the declared end of hostilities." The ceasefire, intended to halt violence and facilitate humanitarian progress, has instead been marred by continued conflict, raising questions about its viability.

Israeli media reported military strikes in Rafah and southern Gaza on Sunday, October 19, 2025, claiming the attacks followed an "exchange of fire" with Hamas. However, Hamas has rejected these assertions, accusing Israel of fabricating justifications to perpetuate violence. The group stated, "Israel’s claims align with misleading propaganda to cover their organised aggression against Palestinians." They further alleged that Israel has armed criminal gangs to sow chaos, citing documented instances of killings, kidnappings, and theft of aid trucks by groups allegedly backed by Israeli authorities.

The deadliest single breach occurred on Friday, when Israeli forces killed 11 members of a displaced Palestinian family, including seven children and three women, in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. The family was reportedly returning home when their vehicle was struck, with Israel claiming it crossed an unmarked "yellow line" boundary. Mahmoud Basal, Gaza’s civil defense spokesperson, dismissed the justification, noting, "There are no physical markers on the ground to distinguish these lines." This incident has fueled outrage, with critics arguing that Israel’s vague demarcations endanger civilians.

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Beyond Gaza, Israel has escalated operations in the occupied West Bank, conducting raids that killed a 42-year-old Palestinian in al-Ein refugee camp near Nablus and an 11-year-old boy, Mohammad Hallaq, in Al-Rihiya near Hebron. Settler attacks have also surged, further destabilizing the region. These actions have drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian groups, who accuse Israel of undermining the ceasefire’s spirit while the US remains largely silent on these violations.

Adding to the humanitarian crisis, Israel announced on Saturday that the Rafah crossing, a vital lifeline for aid into Gaza, will remain closed "until further notice." Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office tied the closure to Hamas’s compliance with hostage and remains recovery, despite Hamas’s claims that retrieving additional bodies requires specialized equipment amid Gaza’s rubble. With 10,000 Palestinian bodies still trapped under debris from Israel’s ongoing blockade and prior bombardments, the closure exacerbates famine risks for Gaza’s population.

The US, meanwhile, issued a statement on Saturday claiming "credible reports" of a planned Hamas attack on Gaza civilians, labeling it a "grave violation" of the ceasefire. Hamas swiftly denied the allegations, urging the US to focus on Israel’s documented breaches rather than echoing "misleading narratives." As tensions escalate and trust erodes, the fragile ceasefire hangs in the balance, with both sides accusing the other of sabotaging peace efforts.

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