47 ceasefire violations by Israeli army leave 38 dead, 143 injured
Gaza authorities reported Saturday that Israeli forces have committed 47 violations of the fragile ceasefire agreement, killing 38 Palestinians and wounding 143 others since the truce took effect eight days ago. Hamas has called on President Donald Trump and international mediators to hold Israel accountable for what Palestinian officials characterize as systematic breaches of the October 10 ceasefire.
The violations began within hours of the ceasefire’s implementation on October 10, when Israeli airstrikes resumed across Gaza despite the formal agreement. Medical sources reported at least seven Palestinians injured in strikes targeting Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood and Khan Younis areas immediately after the noon ceasefire deadline.
By the first weekend of the ceasefire, Israeli forces had killed at least 28 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities. The attacks have included tank fire, artillery bombardment, and drone strikes against Palestinian civilians attempting to navigate the devastated territory.
The deadliest single incident occurred Friday evening when an Israeli tank shell struck a civilian vehicle carrying the Abu Shaaban family in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. The attack killed eleven people, including seven children and three women, who were attempting to return home to assess damage to their property.
“They could have been warned or handled in a different manner. This incident underscores that the occupation is still eager for blood and continues to perpetrate crimes against innocent civilians,” said Mahmoud Basal, Gaza’s civil defense spokesperson.
The family was targeted near the “yellow line,” the boundary from which Israeli forces were supposed to withdraw under the ceasefire terms. However, the Israeli military claimed soldiers fired on a “suspicious vehicle” that crossed the designated line. Many Palestinian families lack internet access and remain unaware of Israeli force positions along unmarked demarcation lines, placing civilians in grave danger as they attempt to return to their homes.
Earlier Ceasefire Breaches
On October 14, Israeli forces killed at least five Palestinians in Gaza City’s Shujayea neighborhood, with medical personnel from al-Ahli Arab Hospital confirming the deaths resulted from Israeli gunfire. The Israeli military stated troops discharged weapons to neutralize a perceived threat from individuals “crossing the yellow line” and approaching their positions.
Three days later, on October 16, an Israeli drone strike in Khan Younis killed at least one Palestinian man, according to reports from Nasser Hospital. Medical sources documented continued Israeli attacks throughout the week despite the ceasefire provisions.
Yellow Line Confusion
The ceasefire agreement requires Israeli forces to withdraw to a designated “Yellow Line,” leaving the military in control of approximately 53-58 percent of Gaza. However, there are no physical markers indicating this boundary, and many Gaza residents remain uncertain about restricted zones.
Due to the widespread lack of internet connectivity, confusion over ambiguous maps, and general disorientation in the ravaged territory have left many Palestinians unable to determine whether they have entered forbidden areas. This has created a deadly situation where civilians attempting to return home or access basic necessities risk being shot by Israeli forces for unknowingly crossing invisible boundaries.
Ceasefire Terms and Monitoring
The ceasefire represents the first phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, signed on October 8 after negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Under the agreement, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages and has been working to return the remains of 28 deceased captives. Israel agreed to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and withdraw forces to designated lines.
A multinational monitoring force comprising approximately 200 troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, overseen by U.S. Central Command, was established to observe compliance. Despite formal monitoring mechanisms, the continuing violence raises fundamental questions about the agreement’s enforcement and durability.
Al Jazeera Breaking News. 2025. “BREAKING: Gaza authorities say the Israeli army has committed 47 violations of the ceasefire, killing 38 people and wounding another 143.” X (formerly Twitter), October 18, 2025. https://x.com/AJENews/status/1979540567378841704.
Al Jazeera. 2025. “Gaza ceasefire tested as Israeli forces kill five Palestinians.” October 14, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/14/gaza-ceasefire-tested-as-israeli-forces-kill-five-palestinians.
Al Jazeera. 2025. “Israel kills 11 Palestinian family members in Gaza’s deadliest truce breach.” October 18, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/18/israel-kills-11-palestinian-family-members-in-gazas-deadliest-truce-breach.
Al Jazeera. 2025. “Updates: Israel kills 3 in Gaza, Trump threatens ‘to go back in.’” October 16, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/10/16/live-gaza-ceasefire-fears-as-israel-demands-return-of-all-captives-bodies.
Al Jazeera. 2025. “Updates: Israel receives two more captives’ bodies from Gaza.” October 18, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/10/18/live-israel-kills-28-in-gaza-since-ceasefire-hamas-urges-accountability.
Al Jazeera. 2025. “Updates: Hamas hands over one more Israeli captive’s body.” October 17, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/10/17/live-aid-critically-low-in-gaza-a-week-into-ceasefire-amid-israeli-delay.
Associated Press. 2025. “Israel says Hamas hands over ‘2 coffins of deceased hostages’ from Gaza.” October 18, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-10-18-2025-4d13aaceec91c360449dd5fa737b192b.
BBC News. 2025. “Gaza ceasefire: US says Hamas is planning ‘imminent’ attack on civilians.” October 18, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2elr16jjqo.
BBC News. 2025. “What happens next in Gaza ceasefire plan after hostage release?” October 9, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgqx7ygq41o.
PBS NewsHour. 2025. “Analysis: Trump achieved a breakthrough Gaza ceasefire but a tough road lies ahead.” October 11, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/analysis-trump-achieved-a-breakthrough-gaza-ceasefire-but-a-tough-road-lies-ahead.
PBS NewsHour. 2025. “Hamas reaffirms commitment to ceasefire as delays in returning hostages’ bodies fray nerves.” October 17, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/hamas-reaffirms-commitment-to-ceasefire-as-delays-in-returning-hostages-bodies-fray-nerves.
PBS NewsHour. 2025. “U.S. warns of ‘credible reports’ Hamas is planning attack on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.” October 18, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-warns-of-credible-reports-hamas-is-planning-attack-on-palestinian-civilians-in-gaza.
Politico. 2025. “Israel says Hamas hands over ‘2 coffins of deceased hostages’ from Gaza.” October 18, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/18/israel-says-gazas-rafah-crossing-will-remain-closed-adding-pressure-over-hostages-remains-00614872.
The New York Times. 2025. “Israeli Military Fires on Vehicle, Saying It Crossed Gaza Cease-Fire Line.” October 18, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/world/middleeast/israel-military-gaza-strike-cease-fire.html.
The Washington Post. 2025. “US warns Hamas planning attack on Palestinian civilians in apparent violation of Gaza ceasefire.” October 18, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/10/18/gaza-ceasefire-attack-mideast-wars-us/e665c4c2-ac6f-11f0-a2bc-82cf6840599d_story.html.