Israel has recommitted to the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, even after Hamas gunmen breached its terms on Sunday—launching attacks that killed two Israeli soldiers and ignited retaliatory strikes.

“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon… the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,” the Israeli military said in a statement Sunday night, following strikes on Hamas targets in southern Gaza.

The military emphasized it would continue to uphold the agreement, but warned it would “respond firmly” to further violations.

The decision follows a deadly ambush in the Rafah area, where Hamas operatives fired an anti-tank missile and small arms at Israeli troops dismantling terrorist infrastructure—a permitted activity under the ceasefire framework.

Two IDF soldiers were killed:

• Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26

• Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, 21

Both were members of the Nahal Brigade and residents of Modi’in.

Hamas had also failed to meet key ceasefire obligations, including returning the remains of all 28 Israeli hostages by Oct. 13. So far, only 12 bodies have been handed over.

Despite the breach, US President Donald Trump insisted Sunday night that the truce remained intact and would be handled “toughly but properly.”

Pressed on the Hamas violation, Trump suggested it may have been a rogue cell: “We wanna make sure it’s gonna be very peaceful with Hamas… they’ve been doing some shooting. Maybe the leadership isn’t involved.”

Vice President JD Vance echoed that framing, calling Hamas a “disjointed” structure with “40 different cells,” some of which, he noted, are unlikely to honor any agreement.

“Before Hamas can be truly disarmed,” Vance said, “we’re going to need some of the Gulf Arab states to help restore law and order in Gaza.”

His remarks align with the Trump administration’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, which envisions Gulf-state involvement in enforcing security and governance in a transitional phase.

Meanwhile, political tensions in Jerusalem are mounting.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused the government of indulging “false illusions” and urged a full-scale military resumption:

“The Nazi terrorist organization must be completely destroyed—and the sooner, the better.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich simply posted one word on X:

“War.”

Initially, Israel halted all humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza following Sunday’s attack. But Washington reportedly pressured Jerusalem to reverse the decision, and aid is now expected to resume Monday, according to Axios and Israel’s Channel 12 News.

Analysis: Israel is once again asked to show restraint while its enemies ignore the terms they sign. Sunday’s events prove the obvious: Hamas has not disarmed, has not released all the hostages, and has not relinquished control—all core conditions of the current ceasefire deal.

Yet Jerusalem remains bound—by diplomatic optics, by US leverage, and by its own moral calculus. For now.

The IDF continues to strike surgically. But the clock is ticking—and Hamas is not hiding it.

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