TEHRAN – Israel is making excuses to resume all-out war against Gaza. This shows that US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire was never a true peace plan, but merely a cover for Washington and Tel Aviv’s goals.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli forces have killed about 100 Palestinians. Drones continue to fly overhead, artillery continues to fire, and explosions continue to rattle Gaza daily. At least two people were killed in an Israeli attack in Khan Yunis on Tuesday. For the Palestinians, the war never stopped, only the name changed.
Hamas handed over the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli prisoners of war, despite operating in a devastated landscape. The group is working with a team in Egypt to discover more. But Israel has accused Hamas of being slow and even questioned the identity of the bodies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Hamas violated an agreement by returning bodies that had already been recovered two years ago.
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir called for the “total destruction” of Hamas. He rejected the idea of punishing violations and instead called for the group’s complete elimination. This kind of language shows that Israel is not interested in peace and wants war.
The Trump Ceasefire Plan promised relief and stability. But it excluded key Palestinian voices, gave Hamas no role, and lacked the means to enforce the Covenant. This allowed Israel to continue its expeditions while pretending to respect peace. Aid trucks promised in the deal have not yet arrived, and Gaza remains under siege.
Hamas said it was struggling to find the bodies because of destruction caused by Israeli attacks. The slow recovery of prisoners is being used as a reason to escalate again.
This is not a breakdown of the peace, but proof that the ceasefire was never real. It was a political tool used to shift blame and reset the battlefield. Gaza continues to bleed, and the world watches a war disguised as diplomacy.