TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel on Sunday struck targets in the southern Gaza Strip after reporting that its troops came under fire from Hamas, marking the first major test of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire aimed at halting more than two years of war.
According to the military, members of the Palestinian group used an RPG against Israeli forces, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes and artillery fire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with Israel’s security chiefs and directed the military to take “strong action” against any ceasefire violations, though he stopped short of threatening a return to full-scale war. Hamas denied any connection to clashes in Rafah, located in southern Gaza.
The strikes coincided with Israel’s identification of the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight. The Palestinian group also announced that talks to launch the second phase of ceasefire negotiations have begun.
### Identification of Hostage Remains
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker killed at Kibbutz Be’eri. Both individuals were believed to have been killed during Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and their bodies were subsequently taken to Gaza.
Engel’s wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped during the attack and released as part of a ceasefire deal in November 2023.
### Rafah Border Crossing and Hostage Returns
Israel has threatened to keep the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed “until further notice.” According to Netanyahu’s office, reopening Rafah hinges on how Hamas fulfills its ceasefire obligations, specifically the return of the remains of all 28 deceased hostages.
In the past week, Hamas handed over the remains of 13 bodies, 12 of which have been identified as hostages. However, Israel stated that one of the bodies did not belong to a hostage.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry — part of the Hamas-run government — reported that Israel has returned 150 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza, including 15 on Sunday. The ministry has neither identified the bodies nor disclosed causes of death. It has posted photos of dozens of bodies on its website to assist families in locating missing relatives. Many of the bodies were severely decomposed, blackened, and some were missing limbs and teeth. Only 25 have been positively identified so far.
### Ceasefire Negotiations and Remaining Challenges
Following an exchange in which Israel received 20 living hostages in return for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, the transfer of remains of deceased hostages remains a critical issue in the ceasefire’s initial phase, as proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Another key part of the ceasefire talks is a major scale-up of humanitarian aid, including the reopening of the Rafah border crossing to facilitate aid delivery and the movement of people in and out of Gaza.
The next stages of negotiations will focus on disarming Hamas, Israeli withdrawal from additional areas of Gaza it currently controls, and establishing future governance for the war-torn territory.
### Second Phase of Ceasefire Talks
The Israeli military reported that on Sunday, fighters fired shots at troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, within Israeli-controlled zones along the agreed ceasefire lines. No injuries were reported. A senior Hamas official denied Hamas’s involvement in the incident.
Both sides have accused each other of violating the fragile ceasefire. At the same time, Hamas announced that talks with mediators to begin the second phase of the ceasefire discussions have started.
Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesman, stated on Saturday that this phase “requires national consensus,” noting ongoing internal discussions within Hamas to “solidify its positions,” though he gave no further details.
Under Trump’s plan, the upcoming negotiations will include disarming Hamas and establishing an internationally backed authority to govern Gaza. Kassem reiterated that Hamas will not partake in any postwar ruling authority.
He stressed that Hamas-run government bodies continue managing day-to-day affairs to prevent a power vacuum, which he described as “very dangerous.” Kassem advocated for the prompt formation of a Community Support Committee — a body comprising Palestinian technocrats — to oversee daily governance until a permanent administrative committee can be agreed upon by all Palestinian factions.
### Status of the Rafah Border Crossing
Israel kept the Rafah border crossing closed on Sunday, applying pressure on Hamas to return more bodies of hostages. While Hamas says it requires special equipment to locate additional bodies, Israel believes Hamas is withholding more remains than it has disclosed.
Before the war, Rafah was Gaza’s only border crossing not controlled by Israel. The crossing has been closed since May 2024, when Israel assumed control of the Gaza side. Fully reopening Rafah would ease medical travel, family visits, and other movements for thousands of Palestinians, including those living in Egypt, home to a significant Palestinian community.
On Sunday, the Palestinian Authority’s Interior Ministry in Ramallah announced new procedures for Palestinians wishing to enter or leave Gaza through Rafah. Those leaving Gaza will be issued temporary travel documents by Palestinian Embassy staff based in Cairo to allow entry into Egypt. Individuals seeking to enter Gaza will need to apply for entry documents at the embassy in Cairo.
### Human Toll and Conflict Overview
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Israel-Hamas war has claimed over 68,000 Palestinian lives. These figures are regarded by U.N. agencies and many independent experts as reliable wartime death estimates, though Israel disputes these numbers and has yet to provide its own counts.
Thousands more Palestinians remain missing, according to the Red Cross.
The initial Hamas attack that triggered the conflict killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals.
### Hamas Rejects U.S. Attack Warning
On Sunday, Hamas dismissed a U.S. State Department claim that it had credible reports of an imminent planned attack by Hamas against Gaza residents.
The U.S. State Department had warned that such an attack would constitute a “direct and grave violation” of the ceasefire and undermine significant mediation progress.
In response, Hamas condemned the claim as “false allegations” and accused Israel of supporting armed groups operating within Israeli-controlled areas. The group urged the U.S. administration to pressure Israel to halt support for these gangs and to stop providing them a safe haven.
Hamas-led forces recently clashed with at least two armed groups in eastern Gaza City, accusing them of looting aid and collaborating with Israel. The group executed several suspects publicly, actions which have drawn widespread condemnation.
The Interior Ministry, part of the Hamas government, stated that its forces are working to restore law and order in areas Israel’s military withdrew from following the ceasefire.
— Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/israel-gaza-hamas-ceasefire/
