On 29 October 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out overnight air-strikes in Gaza that killed at least 104 Palestinians, including dozens of children and women, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Israel described the strikes as targeting weapons depots and militants in northern Gaza near Beit Lahia.
This development came despite a US-brokered cease-fire that went into effect on 10 October 2025, aimed at ending a two-year-old war. While the cease-fire remains nominally in force, the scale and deadliness of the strikes mark one of its most serious tests and fuel doubts about whether it can hold.
Both sides have accused each other of violations. Israel contends that Hamas militants killed an Israeli soldier — which triggered the operation — a claim Hamas denies. The dispute over the remains of hostages (returned bodies) has also added tension, with Israel claiming improper hand-overs and Hamas alleging obstruction of aid and violations.
Humanitarian agencies in Gaza described the strikes as especially devastating: among the casualties were civilians in tents, displaced-person shelters and areas near a cancer-patient camp.
Key Points
- The IDF’s overnight operation in Gaza killed at least 100+ people, including a large number of children and women.
- The U.S.-brokered cease-fire implemented in October is under severe strain; this incident is the gravest challenge so far.
- Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce: Israel claimed militant provocation; Hamas accused Israel of deliberately undermining the deal.
- Humanitarian conditions worsen: civilian casualties, attacks near hospitals/shelters, interruptions in aid entry.
- The diplomatic, hostage-exchange and governance components of the deal (e.g., return of bodies, disarmament) remain unresolved and are flash-points for renewed fighting.
Projections & What It Means for the Future
Cease-fire fragility: The incident suggests that the truce may continue in name only — unless both sides scale back incidents and resume negotiations. A recurrence of major strikes could unravel the deal.
Humanitarian risk: If such strikes continue or escalate, civilian harm may rise further, aid delivery may be disrupted and the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza may deepen.
Diplomatic challenge: The U.S., Qatar and other mediators will be under heightened pressure to replace silent compliance with active enforcement of the truce terms. Failure may push the conflict back into large-scale war.
Political and strategic legacies: For Israel, political pressure from hard-right parties may drive a return to broader military operations. For Hamas and Palestinian authorities, the inability to secure full implementation (e.g., release of hostages, reconstruction aid) may degrade their negotiating position and legitimacy.
Regional ripple effects: The risk of escalation looms for neighbouring states; more broadly, continued instability may draw in external actors (Iran, Egypt, Gulf states) and complicate broader Middle East diplomacy.
Reconstruction & post-conflict planning: As violence resurges, the window for reconstruction and stabilisation narrows. Infrastructure damage, displaced populations and economic collapse become more entrenched, raising the stakes for any future peace process.
On 29 October 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out overnight air-strikes in Gaza that killed at least 104 Palestinians, including dozens of children and women, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Israel described the strikes as targeting weapons depots and militants in northern Gaza near Beit Lahia. This development came despite a US-brokered cease-fire