Hamas denies role in ceasefire breach as Israeli airstrikes across Gaza kill dozens

Deir Al‑Balah – 29 October 2025: Hamas on Wednesday denied involvement in an attack against an Israeli soldier in southern Gaza that Israel said had violated the ceasefire, triggering deadly Israeli airstrikes.

The Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight killed at least 60 Palestinians, including many children, according to local hospital officials.

The escalation marks the most serious challenge yet to the truce that took effect on 10 October.

Earlier on the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “powerful strikes” across Gaza after accusing Hamas of breaching the agreement.

Israel’s defense minister said the strikes were in response to an alleged attack in southern Gaza on Tuesday that killed an Israeli soldier.

Hamas rejected the accusation, saying it had no connection to the Rafah shooting and reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire reached in Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh city under the auspices of US President Donald Trump.

The group in a statement condemned the overnight bombardment as a “blatant violation” of the agreement and part of a “series of ongoing breaches” that have included fatal attacks and the continued closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Hamas urged international ceasefire guarantors to “act immediately” to pressure Israel to halt its escalation against civilians in the enclave.

Responding to the developments, Trump asserted that “nothing is going to jeopardize” the ceasefire, while defending Israel’s right to “hit back.”