Despite the Washington-brokered ceasefire still being officially in place, Israeli forces killed more than 100 Palestinians in Gaza, including 46 children, within 12 hours between Tuesday and Wednesday. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed at least 104 deaths and 253 injuries after multiple airstrikes across Khan Younis, Deir el-Balah, and northern Gaza. One strike hit a tent sheltering displaced families in central Gaza, leaving dozens dead. In a statement, the Palestinian Civil Defence accused Israel of committing “documented crimes” and called for an “immediate and comprehensive ceasefire” across the Strip.

US President Donald Trump, however, defended Israel’s actions, insisting that the ceasefire remains intact and calling the latest assault “retribution” after reports emerged that a 37-year-old Israeli soldier had been killed in southern Gaza. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “If they took out an Israeli soldier, Israel should hit back — and they did.” He added that “nothing is going to jeopardise” the truce, warning Hamas that if it “behaves,” peace will hold, but if not, “their lives will be terminated.” Hamas denied involvement in the alleged sniper attack and reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli military claimed it had reinstated the truce after conducting strikes on “terror targets” and killing “30 terrorists holding command positions,” though it offered no supporting evidence. Meanwhile, aid agencies condemned the strikes, calling the deaths of children under a ceasefire “unthinkable.” Save the Children urged immediate protection of civilians, while analysts suggested that Israel’s actions reflect a deliberate erosion of the ceasefire. Experts warn that Gaza’s situation increasingly resembles a “prolonged occupation” rather than a peace plan, with Israel still controlling roughly half of the enclave and both sides testing each other’s limits under a fragile truce.