Trump says Gaza ceasefire holds amid fighting – DW – 10/20/2025

US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire remained in effect on Sunday after Israel carried out deadly airstrikes and cut off all aid to Gaza, claiming that his troops had come under fire from Hamas.

Asked if the statement was true, Trump told reporters, “Yes, it is.”

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and dozens of Palestinians were killed as both sides accused the other of violating the ceasefire.

Trump said Hamas leadership cannot engage in violations.

“We think maybe the leadership is not involved,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“Either way…it will be handled strictly but appropriately.”

Trump was unsure whether the Israeli attacks were justified. He said, “I’ll have to get back to you on this.”

Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday he may visit Israel soon, saying the administration wanted to “check out how things are going.” On the ceasefire, he said there would be “fits and starts”.

Israeli security sources told news outlets that humanitarian aid to Gaza is set to resume on Monday, without giving further details. Lack of access to proper nutrition and medicine has led to the death toll in Gaza, which the United Nations says is at least 70,000, the majority of whom are civilians.

Israel cut off aid to the Palestinian territories on Sunday, accusing Hamas of violating force by firing on its troops.

It was unclear whether the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would reopen.

Israel said last week that reopening the crossing would depend on Hamas fulfilling its obligations under the ceasefire.

Israel says Hamas is delaying returning the bodies of the hostages. Hamas has released all 20 surviving detainees and 12 of the 28 dead. US President Trump has said that he believes Hamas is acting in good faith in trying to locate the bodies of deceased hostages.

The militant group said it needed time and technical assistance to retrieve the remaining bodies from under the debris of Gaza.

Despite deadly clashes on Sunday, both Israel and Hamas are under international pressure to stop the fire in Gaza.

The Israeli military said it struck Hamas positions across the region after the militants fired anti-tank missiles at its troops, killing two soldiers.

Local residents and health officials said at least 26 Palestinians were killed in the attacks.

Still, both sides say they are committed to the truth, with the goal of ending more than two years of war.

US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was holding and said, “We want to make sure it’s going to be very peaceful.”