Israeli forces shell Gaza on war anniversary as Egypt hosts fragile ceasefire talks
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI Global Desk | Oct 07, 2025, 19:34 IST
On the second anniversary of the Hamas attack that reignited the Gaza war, Israeli forces launched extensive strikes across the enclave as ceasefire talks resumed in Cairo. Despite mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., deep divisions persist over disarmament and political guarantees. President Donald Trump urged negotiators to “move fast” to secure peace, even as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to worsen.
The second anniversary of the violent Hamas attack that led the Middle East into fresh hostilities, Israeli troops pounded Gaza with a barrage of artillery, aerial, and sea-based attacks early Monday, pouring pressure on Palestinian militant groups as ceasefire talks were ongoing in Cairo.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the tanks and drones hit Hamas sites in southern and central Gaza, including Rafah and Khan Younis. At the same time, fighter jets attacked what they term "weapons depots and tunnel infrastructure." Local medical sources indicated that several residential neighborhoods were also attacked, injuring dozens and killing several people, though the total is not known.
The new shelling occurred as Israelis commemorated the somber second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which took almost 1,200 lives and resulted in the kidnapping of over 240 hostages. The public memorial services took place throughout Israel, with victims' families demanding the release of the ones still missing and renewed peace initiatives.
In Gaza, the day was characterized by ongoing destruction. Much of the land is devastated after two years of periodic violence. Electricity is still in short supply, and humanitarian organizations report that conditions are "beyond catastrophic." On Monday, the United Nations reported that the health system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, with most hospitals operating at little more than fraction capacity.
Despite the violence, Egyptian and Qatari brokers continued peace talks in Cairo to revive the U.S.-supported ceasefire framework proposed by President Donald Trump last week.
The 20-point plan sees a phased ceasefire, hostage releases, and an internationally managed reconstruction program for Gaza. But there remain sticking points, primarily Hamas' insistence on not disarming until there is a clear road to Palestinian statehood, and Israel's refusal to relinquish security control of the borders.
Egyptian officials have characterized the negotiations as "tense but ongoing," with both sides subject to domestic pressures. "There is movement on humanitarian access and the issue of prisoners, but political assurances are the most difficult aspect," a Cairo diplomat said in an interview.
Addressing from the White House, President Trump called on negotiators "to move fast" to achieve a ceasefire before the humanitarian cost further increases. The president, who has presented himself as a key middleman in the negotiations, will host later today Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American who was one of the final hostages released by Hamas earlier this year.
Peace through strength is the path forward," Trump declared in a short statement. "The world is watching and the United States will not let terrorism set the terms of peace."
At the same time, Israel is on high alert along its northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with Hezbollah has escalated in the past several days. The Israeli military reported intercepting dozens of rockets fired from southern Lebanon on Monday, and retaliating with precision attacks on Hezbollah observation posts.
Defense experts caution that the local conflict can spread if ceasefire negotiations fail. "Israel's south and north fronts are linked together," a former Israeli security adviser, Michael Herzog, warned. "Any Gaza escalation risks escalating wider hostilities that would involve various parties."
Humanitarian crisis deepens
In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis worsens by the day. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said that food stocks hit an all-time low, while more than 80 percent of the population is displaced. Relief convoys are intermittent because of continued shelling and closure of borders.
World aid groups have called on both sides to create safe humanitarian corridors. "People are not dying just from bombs, but from hunger, thirst, and untreated wounds," a representative for Doctors Without Borders said.
The anniversary and renewed fighting have elicited rapid responses from global leaders. The European Union has urged "immediate restraint and new diplomacy," while the United Nations reaffirmed that "a lasting ceasefire requires addressing underlying causes, not temporary calm only.
In Washington, lawmakers expressed bipartisan alarm at the humanitarian cost but were still at odds over how to proceed with U.S. aid to Israel. Some are pushing for conditionality in aid based on compliance with international law, while others argue that military aid needs to go on "without hesitation."
As the bombing goes on and diplomacy stalls, analysts caution that both Israel and Hamas are confronting increasing domestic weariness. For Israel, sustained combat puts a strain on its economy and public mood. For Hamas, the rising cost of civilian lives risks undermining whatever local authority it retains.
The war has gotten into a vicious cycle of repetition," declared Aaron David Miller, a veteran U.S. Middle East negotiator. "Lacking a political vision to bring it to an end, each anniversary is likely to be another day of violence.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the tanks and drones hit Hamas sites in southern and central Gaza, including Rafah and Khan Younis. At the same time, fighter jets attacked what they term "weapons depots and tunnel infrastructure." Local medical sources indicated that several residential neighborhoods were also attacked, injuring dozens and killing several people, though the total is not known.
Anniversary marked by violence and mourning
The new shelling occurred as Israelis commemorated the somber second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which took almost 1,200 lives and resulted in the kidnapping of over 240 hostages. The public memorial services took place throughout Israel, with victims' families demanding the release of the ones still missing and renewed peace initiatives.
In Gaza, the day was characterized by ongoing destruction. Much of the land is devastated after two years of periodic violence. Electricity is still in short supply, and humanitarian organizations report that conditions are "beyond catastrophic." On Monday, the United Nations reported that the health system in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, with most hospitals operating at little more than fraction capacity.
Ceasefire hopes fade amid mistrust
Despite the violence, Egyptian and Qatari brokers continued peace talks in Cairo to revive the U.S.-supported ceasefire framework proposed by President Donald Trump last week.
The 20-point plan sees a phased ceasefire, hostage releases, and an internationally managed reconstruction program for Gaza. But there remain sticking points, primarily Hamas' insistence on not disarming until there is a clear road to Palestinian statehood, and Israel's refusal to relinquish security control of the borders.
Egyptian officials have characterized the negotiations as "tense but ongoing," with both sides subject to domestic pressures. "There is movement on humanitarian access and the issue of prisoners, but political assurances are the most difficult aspect," a Cairo diplomat said in an interview.
Trump calls for 'speed and results'
Addressing from the White House, President Trump called on negotiators "to move fast" to achieve a ceasefire before the humanitarian cost further increases. The president, who has presented himself as a key middleman in the negotiations, will host later today Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American who was one of the final hostages released by Hamas earlier this year.
Peace through strength is the path forward," Trump declared in a short statement. "The world is watching and the United States will not let terrorism set the terms of peace."
Growing tension on Israel's borders
At the same time, Israel is on high alert along its northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with Hezbollah has escalated in the past several days. The Israeli military reported intercepting dozens of rockets fired from southern Lebanon on Monday, and retaliating with precision attacks on Hezbollah observation posts.
Defense experts caution that the local conflict can spread if ceasefire negotiations fail. "Israel's south and north fronts are linked together," a former Israeli security adviser, Michael Herzog, warned. "Any Gaza escalation risks escalating wider hostilities that would involve various parties."
Humanitarian crisis deepens
In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis worsens by the day. The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has said that food stocks hit an all-time low, while more than 80 percent of the population is displaced. Relief convoys are intermittent because of continued shelling and closure of borders.
World aid groups have called on both sides to create safe humanitarian corridors. "People are not dying just from bombs, but from hunger, thirst, and untreated wounds," a representative for Doctors Without Borders said.
Global response
The anniversary and renewed fighting have elicited rapid responses from global leaders. The European Union has urged "immediate restraint and new diplomacy," while the United Nations reaffirmed that "a lasting ceasefire requires addressing underlying causes, not temporary calm only.
In Washington, lawmakers expressed bipartisan alarm at the humanitarian cost but were still at odds over how to proceed with U.S. aid to Israel. Some are pushing for conditionality in aid based on compliance with international law, while others argue that military aid needs to go on "without hesitation."
As the bombing goes on and diplomacy stalls, analysts caution that both Israel and Hamas are confronting increasing domestic weariness. For Israel, sustained combat puts a strain on its economy and public mood. For Hamas, the rising cost of civilian lives risks undermining whatever local authority it retains.
The war has gotten into a vicious cycle of repetition," declared Aaron David Miller, a veteran U.S. Middle East negotiator. "Lacking a political vision to bring it to an end, each anniversary is likely to be another day of violence.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- Why is Israel striking Gaza again?
Israel says it is targeting Hamas infrastructure in response to ongoing militant activity and to maintain pressure ahead of ceasefire talks. - What is the significance of October 7?
October 7 marks the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that killed over 1,200 people and triggered the current war. - What is President Trump’s role in the talks?
Trump has proposed a 20-point ceasefire plan involving phased truces, hostage releases, and international oversight of Gaza’s reconstruction. - How bad is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
UN agencies report severe shortages of food, water, and medicine, with over 80% of Gaza’s population displaced.