The fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its most severe test yet as overnight Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, including numerous children, according to local hospital officials. The violence, which erupted on Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the conflict that has plagued the region for years. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for a rescue agency operating under Hamas authority, reported that 101 fatalities, including 35 children, were brought to hospitals within a span of less than 12 hours. The strikes targeted tents for displaced families, residential areas, and the vicinity of a hospital, described by Bassal as a ‘clear and flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.’ The Israeli military, however, defended its actions, stating that the strikes were aimed at ‘terror targets and terrorists’ and that the ceasefire remains intact. The military also confirmed the death of one of its soldiers during the latest attack. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, with Hamas calling on mediators to pressure Israel to halt the strikes. The United States was notified prior to the Israeli operation, and President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the ceasefire, which began on October 10, would endure despite the recent violence. Meanwhile, hospitals in Gaza were overwhelmed with casualties, and survivors questioned the effectiveness of the ceasefire. International reactions included Turkey’s condemnation of the strikes as a violation of the truce and a call for global powers to push Israel to adhere to the agreement. The ceasefire, which halted two years of fighting following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2023, remains a critical yet precarious step toward peace in the region.