Trump says Gaza ceasefire ‘still in place’ as 44 reported dead

New Delhi, Oct 20: US President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire in Gaza remains in place, even as Israel and Hamas traded fresh accusations of violations following deadly clashes in southern Gaza on Sunday, the BBC reported.

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), strikes were launched in Rafah after “terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire” toward Israeli troops, killing two soldiers. The military later said it had hit Hamas targets across Gaza, while hospital officials reported 44 deaths.

Hamas claimed it was “unaware” of any fighting in Israeli-controlled areas and reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire, but warned that continued Israeli strikes could “push the situation toward total collapse.” By evening, the IDF said it would resume enforcement of the ceasefire, after both sides accused each other of breaching the deal. President Trump said the situation would be “handled toughly but properly”, emphasising that the truce still stands. His special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he would propose the deployment of an EU mission to Gaza to help train Palestinian police officers, expanding on the EUPOL COPPS program currently active in the West Bank. Israel has also reopened two crossings — Kerem Shalom and Kissufim — after briefly suspending aid deliveries on Sunday, reports the international media. However, Palestinian civilians living near the ceasefire lines reported fear and confusion as intermittent gunfire continued through the night.