Ceasefire Holds as Israeli Strikes Kill 26–30 in Gaza Amid Hamas Violations

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed at least 26 to 30 people, including civilians in refugee camps and neighborhoods, following an attack by Hamas that Israeli forces say violated a fragile US-brokered ceasefire. The strikes, continuing into early Wednesday, came after Hamas reportedly attacked an Israeli soldier in an Israeli-controlled area, prompting Israeli military retaliation. Despite the violence and ongoing skirmishes, US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have maintained that the ceasefire is holding and emphasized Israel's right to respond to attacks. Hamas initially agreed to hand over a missing hostage's body but later postponed the transfer, citing Israeli violations of the truce. The ceasefire, brokered by the Trump administration, remains a critical yet fragile component of efforts toward peace and hostage negotiations in the region. Heavy machinery from Egypt is being used to recover bodies, illustrating the tense and complex situation on the ground.