On the twelfth day of the ceasefire following 735 days of genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis remains dire, Gaza faces dire humanitarian conditions amidst ongoing Israeli violations and limited amount of humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance factions continue efforts to recover and return the bodies of Israeli soldiers killed during the genocide, despite lacking the heavy equipment needed to excavate rubble and reach the dead.
On Monday, the resistance handed over the body of Israeli reserve officer Tal Hayami, who was killed by Israeli fire during the massive and indiscriminate bombing of the Gaza Strip.
Gaza’s mayor emphasized the urgent need for bulldozers and other machinery to retrieve the remains of missing Palestinians and repair critical infrastructure, including water lines.
Also, emergency teams have recovered the bodies of 426 Palestinians from various parts of the Strip since the ceasefire began. Yet the death toll continues to climb.
Mahmoud Abu Foul, a Palestinian detainee released under the Israel-Hamas Gaza ceasefire deal, says he was left blind by months of torture in Israeli prisons and now longs for treatment to restore his sight. pic.twitter.com/H1wmJ9DmX7
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 20, 2025
On Sunday, Israeli forces launched a wave of airstrikes across Gaza, killing at least 44 Palestinians and wounding many more.
The attacks targeted densely populated areas, including shelters for displaced families and a press building, marking the most severe breach of the ceasefire to date.
Among the victims was child Amir Hamada Abu Marshud, the sole survivor of a previous massacre that killed his entire family. Journalist Ahmed Abu Mutair was also killed in an Israeli strike on Zawaida.
Politically, U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed that multiple steps are being taken to preserve the ceasefire, expressing confidence that Hamas will adhere to the agreement. Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting Tel Aviv to “reinforce American commitment to the truce,” with White House officials stating optimism about its continuation.
🔴 BREAKING:
Al Jazeera Arabic’s “What’s Hidden is Greater” documentary investigation says it has identified the Israeli soldiers and officers directly involved in the killing of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, her family, and the ambulance crew who tried to save her.➤ The report names… pic.twitter.com/gKs1rTdcsK
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 20, 2025
However, internal concerns persist. According to the New York Times, senior U.S. officials fear Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may withdraw from the ceasefire.
Hamas leader Dr. Khalil al-Hayya reiterated the movement’s commitment to the ceasefire and the Gaza agreement, stressing the difficulty of recovering bodies under the rubble and calling for increased humanitarian aid. He expressed hope that recent statements from mediators and President Trump signal a definitive end to the war.
Human Rights Watch’s director for Israel and Palestine told Al-Jazeera that Israel bears state-level responsibility for the crimes committed by its soldiers and officers.
He emphasized that those who issue orders are criminally liable and condemned the international community’s double standards regarding Gaza. He also affirmed that paths to justice and accountability remain open.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces continue to enforce a “fire control zone” up to 1.5 kilometers inside Gaza, preventing displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes.
The situation remains volatile, and the ceasefire hangs by a thread. As international actors scramble to preserve it, the people of Gaza continue to suffer under the weight of destruction, displacement, and grief.
The overall toll of Israel’s genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has now reached more than 68,159 Palestinians killed and 170,203 wounded, the vast majority of them children, women, and the elderly. These figures reflect the scale of devastation and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
