Israel has once again come under severe international criticism after breaching the recently brokered ceasefire with Palestinian groups in Gaza. The fragile truce, which had raised hopes for a temporary respite in hostilities, was shattered when Israeli forces launched new airstrikes late Sunday night, targeting several locations across the besieged enclave.
According to reports from Gaza, multiple explosions rocked residential areas, causing civilian casualties and widespread panic. Palestinian health officials confirmed several deaths and dozens of injuries, including women and children. The strikes came barely 48 hours after the ceasefire took effect, which had been mediated by Egypt and Qatar with the support of the United Nations.
The Israeli military claimed that its actions were a “response to renewed rocket fire” from Gaza, but international observers and humanitarian organizations have rejected this justification, calling it a blatant violation of the ceasefire terms. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep concern” over the developments, urging both parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue.
“The world cannot afford another cycle of violence in Gaza,” Guterres said in a statement. “The protection of civilians must remain paramount, and any violation of the ceasefire agreement undermines efforts for lasting peace.”
The European Union also condemned Israel’s actions, calling the airstrikes “disproportionate and unjustified.” Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said that the repeated breaches of truce agreements by Israel “raise serious questions about its commitment to peace and international law.” Several European capitals, including Paris and Berlin, have echoed similar sentiments.
Meanwhile, in a significant diplomatic development, French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a telephone conversation on Monday to discuss the deteriorating situation. According to a statement from the Élysée Palace, both leaders agreed that Israel’s breach of the ceasefire was “deeply regrettable” and called for renewed international efforts to prevent further escalation.
The Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the need for immediate restraint and reiterated his country’s longstanding position in support of Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. President Macron stressed that France, in coordination with regional partners, would continue to work toward de-escalation and humanitarian relief for Gaza’s civilians.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League have also issued strong condemnations, urging the international community to hold Israel accountable for what they termed “a systematic policy of aggression.” Protests erupted in several Muslim countries, where demonstrators called on the United Nations to take concrete action The latest Israeli action could further isolate Tel Aviv on the diplomatic front, as public opinion around the world continues to shift in favor of the Palestinian cause. The renewed violence has also intensified calls for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s recent military operations in Gaza.
As tensions mount, the fate of the ceasefire—and the prospect of any meaningful peace process—appears increasingly uncertain. The world watches anxiously, hoping that diplomacy will prevail over destruction, and that the fragile hope for peace in the Middle East is not lost once again.
