Ceasefire Strains as Israel Keeps Rafah Closed

The ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 is under severe strain as Israel and Hamas trade accusations and carry out retaliatory actions across Gaza and the West Bank. Israel says it launched strikes in Rafah, Beit Lahia and southern Gaza after attacks on its forces, has warned of further reprisals, and reported two soldiers wounded in a West Bank operation. Hamas rejects responsibility, insists it is honoring the truce, and accuses Israel of fabricating pretexts, blocking vital goods and withholding prisoners and bodies; it says Israeli actions have killed dozens and injured more than a hundred since the ceasefire began. Israel has halted humanitarian aid transfers “until further notice,” accused Hamas of delaying the return of deceased hostages, and kept the Rafah crossing closed, prompting calls from the World Food Programme and others for more aid access. Gaza’s civil defence reported multiple fatalities from the latest strikes, international mediators are scrambling to enforce the phased hostage-prisoner exchange and reconstruction roadmap, and the U.S. has warned of credible reports of a potential imminent breach that could further unravel the fragile truce.