Photo credit: Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu via Getty Images
Israel carried out intense airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday night (28 October), causing significant destruction and killing at least 33 Palestinian civilians, according to Gaza health authorities and the civil defense agency operating under Hamas control. The casualties include women and children and reports say homes, schools and other buildings in Gaza City, Beit Lahia and Khan Yunis suffered heavy damage.
The strikes came amid accusations from Israeli officials that Hamas violated the terms of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, claimed Hamas had launched attacks against Israeli soldiers and had failed to meet agreed conditions for returning Israeli bodies — actions he said amounted to a breach of the truce and required a strong Israeli response.
Hamas, however, denies responsibility for the incidents and says it remains committed to the ceasefire. The group accused Israel of violating the truce, saying Israel’s renewed bombing of Gaza was a direct breach of the agreement.
Conflicting Accounts and Casualty Reports
Gaza’s health authorities and civil defense spokespeople reported that 33 people were killed in the strikes. The attacks hit residential areas in Gaza City’s southern Sabra neighborhood and parts of Khan Yunis, where a vehicle strike reportedly killed five people — including two children and a woman. Another strike on a house in Sabra reportedly killed four people, three of them women, according to civil defense sources.
Israeli media reported earlier on Tuesday that anti-tank missiles and sniper fire struck Israeli soldiers near Rafah in southern Gaza. Palestinian outlets, meanwhile, reported Israeli gunfire in the same area — illustrating the murky and rapidly shifting exchange of attacks and reprisals.
Ceasefire Status and International Reactions
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters in Washington he still believed the ceasefire was holding overall, while acknowledging that small skirmishes and isolated attacks could still occur. “We know someone in Gaza attacked Israeli soldiers. We expect Israel to respond, but I believe the peace secured by the President will continue,” he said.
Israel’s Prime Minister has pledged that Tel Aviv would take “concrete steps” against Hamas. Israeli authorities assert that Hamas handed over a box of remains purported to be missing Israeli soldiers on Monday night (27 October), but forensic analysis indicates the remains belonged to an Israeli soldier, Ofir Zarfiati, whose body Israel says it recovered in late 2023. Israel described the handover as a clear breach of the ceasefire terms.
A video released by the Israeli military claims to show armed Hamas members removing remains from prearranged locations and burying them nearby, then calling Red Cross representatives in a staged manner to give the impression of returning bodies. Hamas called these allegations “baseless” and accused Israel of fabricating excuses to launch fresh attacks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed concern after finding what it called staged remains at a site it visited. The ICRC said its team went there “at the invitation of Hamas and in full good faith” and suggested the belongings had been placed at the site before their arrival. The ICRC stressed it is a neutral intermediary and does not participate in the removal or exhumation of bodies.
Exchange of Prisoner and Body Releases Under Ceasefire Deal
The ceasefire deal — brokered by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Turkey — was part of a 20-point Gaza peace plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The initial phase included steps for Hamas to transfer 20 live Israeli hostages and 28 bodies within 72 hours of the truce taking effect.
By 13 October, all 20 live hostages had reportedly been released; in exchange, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and released 1,718 detainees from Gaza. In addition, Israel received the bodies of 13 Israeli and two foreign hostages (one Thai and one Nepali); in return, Israel has handed over 195 Palestinian bodies so far.
What Happens Next?
Tensions remain high in the days following the strikes. Israel insists it will respond firmly to any violation of the agreement, while Hamas maintains it remains committed to ceasefire terms and denies staging or fabricating incidents.
International mediators continue back-channel efforts to maintain the truce, even as sporadic violence threatens to unravel fragile progress. The reported civilian toll has prompted calls from humanitarian groups to guard against escalation and protect non-combatants.
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