A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, hailed as a potential turning point after two years of devastating war, has unraveled as mutual accusations of violations escalated into open conflict.
The truce, effective since October 10, required Hamas to release all surviving hostages and the remains of deceased captives within a tight timeline, in exchange for Israeli troop withdrawals and aid influxes.
Over 20 living hostages were freed in the first week, but delays in recovering 28 bodies from Gaza's rubble—attributed by Hamas to logistical challenges amid 10,000 unrecovered Palestinian remains—sparked fury in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu branded the slow pace a "clear violation," ordering immediate airstrikes on "Hamas terror infrastructure" in southern Gaza. The raids killed at least 45 Palestinians, including civilians in Khan Younis, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which reports over 68,000 total deaths since October 2023.
Hamas retaliated by halting hostage body handovers, including one identified as belonging to an Israeli captive, and firing rockets toward Rafah.
"Israel's aggression exposes their intent to sabotage peace," a Hamas spokesperson said.
Prior flare-ups, including a deadly October 19 exchange that claimed two Israeli soldiers and 40 Palestinians, had already frayed the deal. With Rafah crossing sealed and aid stalled, UN officials warn of humanitarian catastrophe.
U.S. envoys, backed by President Trump's administration, scramble for salvage talks in Qatar, but analysts doubt revival amid eroded trust.