The fragile truce in the Gaza Strip, intended to halt two years of intense conflict, suffered a severe blow on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Health authorities reported that an Israeli airstrike claimed the life of a Palestinian man, prompting immediate accusations of ceasefire violations from both Israel and Hamas.
According to the Israeli military, their aircraft targeted a militant who posed a direct threat to their forces. The strike occurred near a bustling vegetable market in Gaza City’s Shejaia suburb, as confirmed by Al-Ahli Hospital. This incident follows Saturday’s reports from the Israeli military, stating that their troops, still deployed in certain areas of Gaza as per the U.S.-backed ceasefire, faced attacks from militants.
Hamas, without an immediate public response, later issued a statement detailing numerous alleged Israeli breaches of the October ceasefire. Their reports indicate that over 200 individuals have been killed since the truce began, with the Palestinian Health Ministry specifically citing 236 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly civilians, from Israeli strikes. Conversely, the Israeli military reported the deaths of three Israeli soldiers at the hands of Palestinian gunmen during the same period, asserting that their retaliatory strikes were aimed at militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Sunday that Israel would continue to defend its forces against any threats in Gaza and maintain its operations against Hamas. He emphasized that “Hamas pockets” still exist in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza, and they are being systematically eliminated. Netanyahu also noted that all Israeli military actions in Gaza are communicated to Washington. In response, Hamas criticized the United States, claiming it wasn’t doing enough to ensure Israel adhered to the ceasefire terms.
Adding to the diplomatic efforts, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, met with Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir on Saturday to discuss the situation in Gaza. Approximately 200 U.S. troops are stationed in southern Israel, tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and planning an international stabilization force for the enclave. Despite these efforts, significant hurdles remain for the next phases of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, including the crucial issues of Hamas’s disarmament and establishing a clear timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.