JERUSALEM — The ceasefire in Gaza is under significant strain as Israel announced the suspension of aid transfers to the region. An Israeli security official, speaking anonymously, stated that aid would be halted "until further notice" following a violation of the ceasefire by Hamas. This announcement comes just over a week after the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed to end two years of conflict.

On Sunday, Israeli military forces reported coming under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. In response, Israel launched airstrikes targeting what it described as Hamas positions. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 29 Palestinian fatalities due to these strikes, including children.

A senior Egyptian official involved in ceasefire negotiations indicated that efforts to de-escalate the situation were ongoing, emphasizing the need for continuous communication. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to take "strong action" against any violations of the ceasefire but did not indicate a return to full-scale war.

Hamas has accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations and claimed that communication with its units in Rafah has been severed for months, stating, "we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas."

Israeli airstrikes targeted various locations in Gaza, including a makeshift coffeehouse in Zawaida, which resulted in at least six deaths. Additional strikes in the Nuseirat refugee camp and Khan Younis led to further casualties, with reports of families being affected.

In a related development, Israel identified the remains of two hostages, Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, who were believed to have been killed during the initial Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Engel's family had previously been involved in a ceasefire exchange that saw his wife and children released.

Hamas has returned the remains of 12 hostages in recent days, while Israel has urged the group to return the remains of all 28 deceased hostages. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed, complicating humanitarian efforts.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 68,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Thousands more are reported missing, and the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.

As negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire begin, a Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire deal. This phase is expected to address disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza. Hamas has stated it will not participate in any ruling authority post-conflict, advocating for a body of Palestinian technocrats to manage daily affairs.

The Rafah crossing, which was not under Israeli control before the war, has been closed since May 2024. A fully operational crossing would facilitate medical treatment and travel for Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority has announced procedures for those wishing to enter or exit Gaza through Rafah, with embassy staff available to assist with travel documentation.

The situation remains fluid as both sides navigate the complexities of the ceasefire and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.