Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Strains in Rafah Standoff

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States and effective since October 10, faces mounting challenges as Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza and up to 200 Hamas fighters remain holed up in the Israeli-controlled Rafah area, refusing to surrender. The truce, part of President Donald Trump's broader peace plan, was meant to halt a two-year war that began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and facilitate hostage releases and increased humanitarian aid. Yet, incidents in southern Gaza near Rafah have twice disrupted the agreement, with Israel launching retaliatory strikes after ambushes on its troops, which it attributes to Hamas.

Since the ceasefire took hold, Israeli forces have killed at least 236 Palestinians, according to tallies from Gaza medical officials. The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Saturday that the overall death toll in the enclave since the war's start has exceeded 69,000, including 284 newly identified victims recovered from rubble. Discoveries of bodies under debris account for much of the recent rise, alongside ongoing attacks. On Sunday, an Israeli drone strike in Bani Suheila near Khan Younis killed one Palestinian. The...