A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was severely tested on Sunday by a deadly cycle of violence that left at least 26 Palestinians dead, yet both sides, along with the United States, signaled a commitment to salvaging the weeks-long truce.

The confrontation began when two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunfire along the Gaza border. The Israeli military responded with a series of airstrikes targeting Hamas facilities, which Gaza health officials say resulted in the deaths of 26 people and wounded dozens more.

Both sides swiftly accused the other of violating the ceasefire, which has held for several weeks and has been a cornerstone of recent Egyptian and UN-led mediation efforts.

"Yesterday's aggression is a serious violation of the understanding and will be met with strength," an Israeli military spokesman stated.

A Hamas official, in turn, blamed Israel, saying, "The occupation bears full responsibility for breaking the calm and for the consequences of this brutal aggression."

Despite the sharp accusations and the rising death toll, there appeared to be a concerted effort to prevent a full-scale collapse of the agreement. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the situation, asserting that the ceasefire was still in effect.

"The ceasefire is still in place, and we are monitoring the situation very closely," President Trump said. "We continue to work with all parties to maintain calm."

In a critical development aimed at de-escalating the situation, officials confirmed that the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which had been temporarily halted due to the violence, is set to resume. The delivery of fuel, food, and medicine is seen as vital to preventing a further humanitarian catastrophe in the blockaded coastal enclave and is a key component of the ceasefire understandings.

The international community is watching the situation with apprehension, urging maximum restraint. The coming hours will be a critical test of whether the ceasefire can withstand this severe pressure or if the region is poised for another rapid descent into wider conflict.