Israel attacks Rafah: bombs on terrorist targets after breach of ceasefire!

Israel attacks Rafah: bombs on terrorist targets after breach of ceasefire!

On October 19, 2025, the Israeli army confirmed air strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. This military action comes in response to attacks by Palestinian militants who have fired anti-tank missiles and opened fire on Israeli soldiers. The use of fighter jets and artillery was deemed necessary to eliminate a threat posed to the Israeli armed forces. The attacks were seen as a blatant violation of the ceasefire in force since October 10th. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, two people were killed in the attacks, particularly in an airstrike in the Jabalia area, located in the northern Gaza Strip.

Reports from eyewitnesses describe explosive sounds and exchanges of gunfire in Rafah and heavy tank fire in the nearby town of Abassan, near Khan Younis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to take full action against so-called “terror targets in the Gaza Strip”. This decision was made in consultation with Defense Minister Israel Katz and security officials.

Reactions and accusations

Hamas' military wing denied responsibility for the attacks on Israeli troops and reiterated its adherence to the ceasefire. Hamas officials said they had no knowledge of the fighting in Rafah because it is under Israeli occupation control. A senior Israeli military official said the incidents took place in an Israeli-controlled area east of the Yellow Line. This line marks the withdrawal limit of Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire came into force.

Tensions in the region have been rising since Benjamin Netanyahu has been under pressure from far-right coalition partners. Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in particular has called for a return to fighting in the Gaza Strip and set a deadline for Netanyahu to crush Hamas. At the same time, Israel has been accused of violating previously reported ceasefire agreements with its recent actions.

Peace efforts and geopolitical context

Despite the tense situation, hope for peace in the Middle East was expressed. US President Donald Trump recently declared a new era in the Middle East and presented a 20-point plan that includes a ceasefire and the release of hostages. While a Gaza agreement has been signed, actual implementation remains unclear. Experts emphasize that the complexity of the geopolitical situation makes it difficult to find a sustainable solution.

Hamas continues to be unforgiving, rejects disarmament and has made use of the option of temporarily re-arming. While international actors work to stabilize the ceasefire, it remains to be seen how the situation between Israel and Hamas will develop. The ongoing military conflicts highlight the fragility of the current peace plan and regional stability.

For more information about current developments in the region, please visit Vienna, [Zeit](https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2025-10/israel-luftattacke-rafah- Waffenruhe-bruch-hamas) and ZDF.