Israel Massacres Dozens in Gaza Despite US-Backed Ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes killed dozens of Palestinians in Gaza even as a U.S.-backed ceasefire was supposed to hold.

“WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump confirmed the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains active following Israeli military strikes on Gaza”

thesun.my

Multiple outlets reported heavy bombing after Israel said two of its soldiers were killed near Rafah.

thesun.my

Western mainstream outlet Le Figaro reports the truce is "under severe strain" and says Israeli strikes killed "dozens of Palestinians, including civilians and children."

Local Western outlet L’essentiel specifies at least 45 Palestinians killed, including a journalist.

Asian outlets Firstpost and Mathrubhumi both cite Hamas-linked figures putting the Gaza death toll from the strikes at about 45.

Asian outlet Mint gives a lower figure from Gaza health officials—at least 23 killed—while also noting Israel unleashed around 100 airstrikes.

Despite the death tolls, U.S. President Donald Trump is quoted saying the ceasefire remains in effect, casting the flare-up as manageable under the truce he backed.

Accounts of what happened near Rafah diverge sharply.

Asian outlet The Straits Times reports Israel said two soldiers were killed after militants fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire.

Mathrubhumi English

It adds Palestinian witnesses saw Hamas fighting a local gang as Israeli tanks and warplanes intensified bombardment.

Mint (Asian) says Israel accused Hamas of the fatal attack and then launched roughly 100 airstrikes.

Le Figaro (Western Mainstream) underscores that Hamas denies initiating the incident while saying it remains committed to the truce.

Firstpost (Asian) adds that Hamas denies responsibility for killing the Israeli soldiers.

All these reports center on Israel’s decision to bomb Gaza, with artillery and airstrikes pounding Rafah despite the ceasefire.

Israel increased pressure beyond bombing by cutting humanitarian lifelines and using bodies and hostages related to ceasefire conditions.

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Le Figaro reports that Israel suspended aid deliveries to Gaza.

Local Western outlet L’essentiel states that Israel has been returning Palestinian bodies, with 150 repatriated so far, and confirms that Hamas returned bodies of Israeli captives.

Sud Ouest describes a first-phase agreement where Hamas released 20 living captives and some bodies in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Sud Ouest also notes that Israel demands all deceased captives be returned before reopening the Rafah crossing.

Firstpost adds that Netanyahu plans to reduce humanitarian aid by half and insists on the release of 16 Israeli captives before discussing further steps.

Washington’s posture seeks to keep the ceasefire intact while minimizing political damage, even as Israeli strikes kill civilians.

Mathrubhumi (Asian) and thesun.my (Western Tabloid) report Trump affirmed the ceasefire remains in effect and suggested “some rebels within” Hamas may be responsible for violations.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Sud Ouest (Local Western) quotes Vice President JD Vance saying such flare-ups are expected and urging Gulf states to help build a security framework that enables Hamas’s disarmament.

Firstpost (Asian) echoes Vance’s call for international peacekeepers from Gulf states.

Mint (Asian) adds that the Trump administration dispatched Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Israel, urging Israel to respond “proportionately” and to focus on stabilizing Gaza rather than resuming war.

The human toll is stark and widely acknowledged, even by outlets that refrain from harsh labels.

“Sign up now:Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People inspect the damage following an Israeli strike that struck a house used by journalists in the Al-Zawayda city near Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza strip, on Oct 19”

The Straits Times

Le Figaro (Western Mainstream) says Israeli strikes killed civilians and children.

The Straits Times

L’essentiel (Local Western) records that a journalist was among at least 45 Palestinians killed.

The Straits Times (Asian) shows civilians fleeing and being treated in hospitals as bombardment intensified, and quotes Israel’s defense minister warning Hamas of “severe consequences” for alleged ceasefire violations.

Sud Ouest (Local Western) places this escalation in a wider catastrophe, citing over 68,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, from the Israeli offensive since October 7, and describing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Times of India’s world desk headline captures the moment bluntly: renewed deadly Israeli strikes are challenging a fragile ceasefire.