Palestinians transport an injured man following what, in response to medics, was an Israeli strike, at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 19, 2025.
Mahmoud Issa | Reuters
Israel on Sunday struck targets in southern Gaza after saying its troops got here below fireplace from Hamas militants, within the first main take a look at of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire meant to halt greater than two years of struggle.
Militants used a rocket-propelled grenade, and Israel responded with airstrikes and artillery, the army mentioned.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted with Israel’s safety heads and directed the army to take “sturdy motion” towards any ceasefire violations, however did not threaten to return to struggle.
Israel’s army mentioned that militants shot at troops in areas of the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah which are Israeli-controlled in response to agreed-upon ceasefire strains. No accidents have been reported. A separate army assertion mentioned that Israel would reply to ceasefire violations with “nice drive” towards Hamas.
Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of a number of ceasefire violations, mentioned that it wasn’t linked to any clashes in Rafah.
The Palestinian group additionally mentioned that talks to launch the second section of ceasefire negotiations have begun.
Strikes in Gaza
An Israeli airstrike killed at the very least six Palestinians in central Gaza, well being officers mentioned. The strike hit a makeshift coffeehouse on the coastal facet of the city of Zawaida, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry, a part of the Hamas-run authorities.
One other Israeli strike killed at the very least two folks near the Al-Ahly soccer membership within the Nuseirat refugee camp, the ministry mentioned. The strike hit a tent and wounded eight others, mentioned Awda hospital, which obtained the casualties.
A 3rd strike hit a tent within the Muwasi space of Khan Younis within the south, killing at the very least one particular person, in response to Nasser hospital.
An Israeli army official instructed journalists there had been three incidents Sunday, two in southern Gaza and one within the north, and famous that the replace was partial for now.
Extra our bodies of hostages recognized
Israel recognized the stays of two hostages launched by Hamas in a single day.
Netanyahu’s workplace mentioned the our bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural employee from Kibbutz Be’eri.
Each have been believed to have been killed through the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the struggle. Engel’s spouse, Karina, and two of his three kids have been kidnapped and launched in a ceasefire in November 2023.
Hamas, prior to now week, has handed over the stays of 12 hostages.
Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, mentioned that it had discovered the physique of a hostage and would return it on Sunday “if circumstances within the discipline” allowed. It warned that any escalation by Israel would hamper search efforts.
Israel on Saturday mentioned the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would keep closed “till additional discover” and its reopening would rely on how Hamas fulfills its ceasefire function of returning the stays of all 28 deceased hostages.
Hamas group says the devastation and Israeli army management of sure areas of Gaza have slowed the handover. Israel believes Hamas has entry to extra our bodies than it has returned.
Israel has launched 150 our bodies of Palestinians again to Gaza, together with 15 on Sunday, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry. Israel has neither recognized the our bodies nor mentioned how they died. The ministry has posted pictures of our bodies on its web site to assist households making an attempt to find family members. The our bodies have been decomposed and blackened. and a few have been lacking limbs and tooth.
Solely 25 our bodies have been recognized, the Well being Ministry mentioned.
After Israel and Hamas exchanged 20 dwelling hostages for greater than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the handover of stays is a significant subject within the first stage of the ceasefire. A serious scale-up of humanitarian help, together with the opening of the Rafah crossing, for folks coming into or leaving Gaza, is the opposite central subject.
Ceasefire’s second section
Hamas mentioned talks with mediators to start out the ceasefire’s second section have begun.
The following levels of the ceasefire are anticipated to give attention to disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from extra areas it controls in Gaza, and future governance of the devastated territory.
Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, mentioned late Saturday that the second section of negotiations “requires nationwide consensus.” He mentioned Hamas has begun discussions to “solidify its positions,” with out giving particulars.
Based on the U.S. plan, the negotiations will embody disarming Hamas and the institution of an internationally backed authority to run Gaza.
Kassem reiterated that the group will not be a part of the ruling authority in a postwar Gaza. He referred to as for the immediate institution of a physique of Palestinian technocrats to run day-to-day affairs.
For now, “authorities companies in Gaza proceed to carry out their duties, because the vacuum may be very harmful, and it will proceed till an administrative committee is shaped and agreed upon by all Palestinian factions,” he mentioned.
Rafah border crossing
The Rafah crossing was the one one not managed by Israel earlier than the struggle. It has been closed since Might 2024, when Israel took management of the Gaza facet. A totally reopened crossing would make it simpler for Palestinians to hunt medical therapy, journey or go to household in Egypt, dwelling to tens of 1000’s of Palestinians.
On Sunday, the Palestinian Authority’s Inside Ministry in Ramallah introduced procedures for Palestinians wishing to depart or enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. For individuals who need to depart Gaza, Palestinian Embassy employees from Cairo shall be on the crossing to subject non permanent journey paperwork that permit entry into Egypt. Palestinians who want to enter Gaza might want to apply on the embassy.
The Israel-Hamas struggle has killed greater than 68,000 Palestinians, in response to the Well being Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its depend. The ministry maintains detailed casualty information which are seen as usually dependable by U.N. companies and unbiased specialists. Israel has disputed them with out offering its personal toll.
1000’s extra persons are lacking, in response to the Purple Cross.
Hamas-led militants killed round 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and kidnapped 251 folks within the assault that sparked the struggle.
