Gaza Ceasefire Holds After Weekend Fighting 

Israeli fire killed three people near Gaza’s ceasefire line Monday, as US envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to help safeguard the fragile truce, which survived its major test following a weekend of intense bombardment that killed at least 28 people, Reuters reported. 

On Monday, both Israel and Hamas said they would respect the US-brokered ceasefire. 

Israel said it attacked the enclave Sunday following a Palestinian attack that killed two Israeli soldiers within their agreed-upon deployment zone in Rafah, in southern Gaza. According to a military official, Hamas had fired at Israeli forces beyond the Yellow Line in three separate incidents – the Yellow Line demarks the border behind which Israeli troops have withdrawn according to the ceasefire deal, according to CNN.  

On Monday, Palestinian medics said three other people were killed by Israeli tank fire near the boundary. Meanwhile, Gaza City residents said they were confused about where the line lies, as electronic maps are available, but physical markings had not yet been placed along most of the route. 

Israel defined the murder of its two soldiers as a blatant violation of the deal by Hamas. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement it would begin a “renewed enforcement” of the ceasefire following instructions from political leaders. 

While much about Sunday’s events in Rafah remains unclear, Hamas said its internal Rada’a security force was targeting a “hideout” of an Israel-backed militia and denied involvement in the attack on Israeli soldiers. While confirming its intention to respect the truce, the group blamed Israel for violating the deal, killing dozens, and halting aid from entering the enclave.  

Deliveries of aid into the enclave restarted Monday, after Israel said it would halt them on Sunday. Israel’s decision to restart aid deliveries – just hours after suspending them – is seen as an indicator that it intends to respect key elements of the ceasefire. Still, an Israeli official told CNN that the Rafah Crossing will stay closed until the remaining hostage bodies are returned. 

The renewed commitment to the ceasefire arrives as US officials arrived in the region to oversee the next phase of the truce despite the repeated violent clashes since the agreement was implemented last week. 

Meanwhile, Egypt hosted Hamas officials Monday for talks on the ceasefire and a future technocratic administration to govern Gaza without Hamas representation. Israel wants Hamas to disarm and have no future role in governing Gaza, conditions that the group has yet to accept.