Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Israeli airstrikes that shattered a fragile ceasefire in Gaza on Sunday were not launched without notice. According to a report by U.S. news outlet Axios, Israel had informed the Trump administration in advance through an American command center overseeing the ceasefire implementation.
Citing American and Israeli officials, Axios revealed that coordination occurred at the highest levels, with White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner holding a call with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and other officials. The conversation reportedly focused on the expected Israeli response to attacks originating from Gaza and the steps ahead in managing the volatile situation.
Washington Calls for Restraint and Strategic Focus
A senior U.S. official told Axios that the message from Washington was clear: Israel was urged to “respond proportionally and with restraint.” The United States, while acknowledging Israel’s right to respond to provocations, emphasized the importance of avoiding an escalation that could jeopardize the tenuous ceasefire.
“We told Israel that the focus should be on isolating Hamas and moving swiftly to find an alternative to its control in Gaza, rather than resuming full-scale war,” the official said. “Nobody wants to go back to total war.”
Despite Israel’s retaliatory strikes following alleged attacks by Hamas in Rafah including sniper fire and rocket-propelled grenades targeting Israeli forces Washington stressed the importance of preserving the broader ceasefire deal.
The official further noted that Sunday’s skirmishes were precisely the type of incidents that the U.S. had anticipated might disrupt the transition period. “The next 30 days are critical,” he warned. “We are now responsible for what happens in Gaza in terms of the agreement’s implementation. And we will be making decisions accordingly.”
Tensions Mount as Ceasefire Teeters
The carefully brokered ceasefire which included terms such as Israeli troop withdrawals, hostage releases, and humanitarian aid is now under intense pressure. Sunday’s violence in Rafah marked a significant breach of the fragile calm that had been holding since the truce went into effect just over a week ago.
While Israel accuses Hamas of violating the agreement by targeting its forces, Hamas has denied any involvement. The group’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, issued a statement saying it was unaware of any clashes in Rafah and reiterated its full commitment to the ceasefire across all areas of Gaza.
But U.S. officials say the situation on the ground has been deteriorating since President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the region. “Both sides have taken actions that raise concerns,” a second American official told Axios. “Hamas has begun rebuilding its military capabilities and has conducted bloody reprisals against rival factions in Gaza.”
The comment refers to Hamas’ recent internal security crackdown targeting alleged collaborators and militias backed by external actors, including a rival group led by Yasser Abu Shabab. That campaign, combined with Israeli fears of Hamas regrouping under the cover of the ceasefire, has added fuel to an already volatile situation.
Strategic Crossroads
In public, Israeli leaders insist their response to Sunday’s attack was measured. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that “Hamas will pay a high price for every violation,” but emphasized that Israel aims to enforce consequences without collapsing the truce entirely.
Privately, however, Israeli officials remain skeptical of Hamas’ long-term intentions. The Israeli military has reportedly been authorized to conduct further operations should additional attacks occur, raising concerns about a potential spiral back into full-scale conflict.
The United States, now deeply entwined in overseeing the agreement’s implementation, faces the challenge of maintaining a delicate balance supporting Israel’s security while keeping diplomatic pressure on both sides to avoid collapse of the truce.
For now, the ceasefire agreement remains technically in place, but the coming weeks may determine whether it holds or becomes yet another failed chapter in the long, troubled history of Gaza’s recurring wars.
