Israel says its forces were responding to a breach of the ceasefire after an alleged clash with Hamas fighters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

However, many Palestinians remain deeply sceptical about whether such an incident actually occurred. There is a growing belief that Israel may be using the claim as a pretext to challenge the fragile truce and alter the status quo on the ground.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position appears increasingly constrained, with Washington making it clear that it will not permit a continuation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The United States exerts significant influence over developments in the enclave through the “civil coordination centre” it operates in southern Israel, which manages much of the communication and logistical oversight.

Against this backdrop, there is a mounting sense that Israel is deliberately seeking minor skirmishes or isolated incidents to justify a return to hostilities. Critics argue that Netanyahu’s government is attempting to reshape the ceasefire on its own terms, one that allows Israel to strike targets at will and dictate which border crossings remain open.

For now, the question hanging over the region is not only whether the ceasefire will hold, but how far the United States is prepared to go in restraining its closest ally as tensions rise once again in Gaza.