Gaza Ceasefire in Peril: Israeli Strikes Kill Over 90, Including Dozens of Children

JERUSALEM — A fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by the US is facing its gravest test after Israeli strikes killed at least 91 people, including dozens of children, according to hospital officials on Wednesday. The mass casualties mark the deadliest day since the truce—championed by US President Donald Trump—began.

The deadly barrage on Tuesday night came after Israel accused Hamas of killing a soldier and attempting to stage the discovery of a deceased hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to carry out “immediate, powerful strikes,” notifying the US ahead of time, a US official confirmed to CNN.

Hamas denied attacking IDF soldiers, reaffirmed its commitment to the truce, and denounced the “criminal bombardment” as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.The immediate trigger for the Israeli military action was the death of Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, of the Combat Engineering Corps, who was killed during combat in southern Gaza. A military official stated Israeli troops had come under RPG and sniper fire in the Rafah area, east of the so-called yellow line, which separates occupied Gaza from the remainder of the territory.

Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu’s office declared Hamas in “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement after the militant group returned remains that did not belong to any of the 13 hostages still unaccounted for.

President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One before the full casualty reports emerged, confirmed the escalating violence. “So the Israelis hit back,” he said, adding that “Nothing’s going to jeopardize” the ceasefire, while repeating threats to see Hamas “terminated.” The death toll of 91 is expected to climb as hospitals struggle to cope. The Director of Al-Shifa Hospital described the health and humanitarian situation as “catastrophic,” reporting that half of those killed were children.

“There are no medicines or medical supplies to treat the wounded and the sick,” Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya told CNN.

Israel is reportedly weighing several options for a full response, including expanding its withdrawal line, reoccupying additional territory, or retaking the Netzarim corridor that cuts across Gaza. While an Israeli source indicated potential coordination with the US, Washington reportedly opposes restricting the flow of humanitarian aid—another option under consideration.

The escalating conflict is deeply tied to the fate of the remaining hostages.

The IDF released drone footage on Tuesday that it claims shows Hamas operatives staging the burial and discovery of a deceased hostage’s body near the Red Cross in Gaza City. The military said the video proves Hamas is attempting to “create a false impression of efforts to locate the bodies.” The Red Cross confirmed it was “not aware that a deceased person had been placed there prior to their arrival,” calling the staging “unacceptable.”

Hostage Handover Postponed: Hamas’s armed wing announced it would postpone the handover of a recovered hostage body due to Israel’s “violations,” warning that military escalation would “hinder search and excavation operations.”

Contested Remains: The total number of deceased hostages who remained in Gaza when the ceasefire was signed was 28. As of Tuesday, Hamas had returned only 15 bodies.

The current ceasefire began on October 9, 2025, following the devastating two-year war launched after the October 7, 2023, terror attacks. Since the start of the war, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports at least 68,527 Palestinians have been killed and 170,395 injured.