Israel Reaffirms Ceasefire After Hamas Kills IDF Soldier, Strikes Back Hard
The Israeli military said Wednesday that the Trump-brokered ceasefire with Hamas remains intact despite a deadly breach by the terror group that killed an Israeli soldier in Rafah earlier this week.
In response to the sniper attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a wave of retaliatory strikes in Gaza, killing dozens of terrorists and targeting key command positions across the enclave. The strikes were authorized by Israel’s political leadership and aimed specifically at those responsible for repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.
“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of strikes, in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire in response to Hamas’ violations,” the military said in a statement.
Among those killed in the operation were 30 terrorists holding leadership positions within various factions operating in Gaza. Israel also accused Hamas of staging a deceptive return of hostage remains in a separate violation of the deal.
The soldier killed Tuesday was Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, a father of five. He was reportedly shot by Hamas sniper fire during routine operations inside the designated IDF zone behind the so-called “yellow line” in southern Gaza.
President Donald Trump, speaking from South Korea during his ongoing Asia tour, firmly backed Israel’s right to respond. “They took out an Israeli soldier,” Trump said. “They said they would be good, and if they’re good they’re going to be happy. And if they’re not good, they’re going to be terminated.”
Trump added that “nothing’s going to jeopardize” the ceasefire and warned Hamas to “behave.”
Vice President JD Vance also addressed the incident, downplaying the threat to the broader peace agreement. “The president achieved a historic peace in the Middle East. The ceasefire is holding,” Vance said. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be little skirmishes here and there.”
Vance acknowledged that Hamas, or possibly another group in Gaza, was behind the sniper fire, but expressed confidence that Israel’s proportional response would help preserve the agreement. “We expect the Israelis are going to respond, but I think the president’s peace is going to hold despite it,” he said.
Wednesday’s developments mark the second time in recent weeks that Hamas has breached the ceasefire, following an incident where the terror group attempted to stage a hostage body recovery by burying remains and calling in the Red Cross. That stunt backfired after Israel released drone footage exposing the deception.
Despite the tensions, both the White House and Israeli leadership are holding firm to the broader goal of avoiding a return to all-out war — with enforcement of the ceasefire continuing amid strategic retaliation.
The IDF reiterated its stance that while it remains committed to the peace deal, any further violations by Hamas or its affiliates will be met with overwhelming force.