At least 65 people, including some 20 children, have died following the latest Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, according to Al Arabiya. The strikes hit residential neighbourhoods and refugee camps across the enclave. The attacks took place on the night of Wednesday 29 October, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to "retaliate mightily" for Hamas' alleged violation of the ceasefire.
According to Israel's Channel 12, Netanyahu decided on the strikes after a security briefing where the army reported a firefight between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. Israel says it was a clear violation of the terms of the ceasefire. Hamas, however, denies responsibility and describes the incident as "Israeli provocation". He also postponed the planned transfer of the remains of one of the Israeli hostages until "Israel will not stop attacking".
According to Palestinian emergency services, many of the dead are women and children. Doctors in Gaza hospitals report critical shortages of blood and fuel for generators. Strikes have also hit neighbourhoods in Gaza City and Khan Younis, with some infrastructure, including the water system and several schools, severely damaged.
There was a quick response from Washington. The American president Donald Trump described the situation as "serious but manageable"and said that the United States "they don't want a return to war". But he also added that "Israel has the right to react when its soldiers are killed". Vice President JD Vance said that the ceasefire "for now"even though, according to him. "there will always be minor skirmishes in the region".
The United States continues to send diplomats to Israel and Egypt to try to prevent further collapse of the ceasefire agreement brokered in early October. U.S. officials warn that continued bombing of Gaza could jeopardize humanitarian supplies and ongoing negotiations for a prisoner exchange.
Sources close to the Israeli government say the prime minister is facing increasing pressure from the far right, especially ministers Itamar Ben-Gvira a Bezalel Smotrichwho are calling for "the final destruction of Hamas". These voices, according to Israeli media, make it difficult for Netanyahu to balance domestic political pressure with American demands for restraint.
On the Palestinian side, there is concern that the Israeli army could expand its zones of control within Gaza and restrict the entry of humanitarian aid. Humanitarian organisations warn that after 18 days of ceasefire, the situation is again approaching open conflict.
"This is the most dangerous moment since early October," the UN representative for the Middle East said in a statement. "Failure to stop the cycle of retaliation risks a return to full-scale war."
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