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Can the Gaza ceasefire deal survive?

October 29, 2025

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by the Trump administration is under severe strain after Israeli airstrikes killed over 100 people in Gaza, following Israel's claim that Hamas violated the truce by killing an Israeli soldier. While President Trump insists the ceasefire remains intact, the continued violence challenges the definition of what constitutes a genuine truce, with most casualties reported to be women and children. The survival of the agreement depends heavily on continued US engagement and pressure on both parties, as Washington has been working behind the scenes to prevent escalation while publicly supporting Israel's right to respond.

Who is affected

  • Over 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes, predominantly women and children according to Gaza's Civil Defence agency
  • Displaced Palestinian families living in tents, schools, and residential areas that were struck
  • One Israeli soldier killed in Rafah
  • 20 hostages returned by Hamas
  • Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees released from Israeli jails
  • Civilians in Gaza requiring humanitarian aid

What action is being taken

  • US officials are privately urging Israel to exercise restraint to keep the ceasefire deal alive
  • The White House is allowing Israel some leeway to respond to apparent Hamas violations
  • Israel is conducting airstrikes on what it describes as "terror targets and terrorists"
  • Qatar and Egypt are continuing their mediation efforts alongside the US

Why it matters

  • The ceasefire's survival is critical because it represents a major diplomatic investment by the Trump administration and offers the only current pathway to ending the carnage in Gaza that began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks. The deal's collapse would undermine significant US diplomatic efforts and could lead to a resumption of full-scale war, particularly as far-right elements in Israel's cabinet are urging a return to full military operations. Beyond immediate violence prevention, the ceasefire is essential for any future humanitarian rebuilding and rehabilitation of Gaza, though experts warn that prospects for meaningful reconstruction remain remote even if the truce technically holds.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC