**US Struggles to Maintain Ceasefire… “Trump’s Significant Diplomatic Achievement”**
[Seoul=Newsis] Reporter Kim Nanyeong – The ceasefire in Gaza, which was achieved with great difficulty, is facing daily challenges. The Trump administration is striving to maintain the ceasefire.
According to US media Axios on the 19th (local time), the Trump administration is working to prevent additional clashes to avoid the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in relation to Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza.
Previously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they conducted retaliatory airstrikes on places like Rafah, claiming Hamas violated the agreement by attacking their troops with anti-tank missiles and other means.
Reports indicate that on that morning, a Hamas militant fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF vehicle in the Rafah area, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers.
In response, the IDF conducted over 100 airstrikes in the Rafah region and elsewhere. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that these airstrikes resulted in at least 23 Palestinian casualties.
Axios reported, citing US and Israeli officials, that Israel informed the Trump administration in advance of the airstrike through the US military command.
The US urged Israel to “respond appropriately but show restraint,” emphasizing that the goal of the airstrikes should be to prevent further violations of the agreement by Hamas.
Furthermore, Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner discussed the next steps with Ron Dermer, Israeli strategic affairs minister, according to Axios.
An American official stated that the Trump administration would strengthen monitoring to prevent further violations of the agreement and mentioned that “the next 30 days will be crucial.”
The US side seemed to have anticipated this kind of situation.
Both Israel and Hamas have reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the agreement, and Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Witkoff are expected to visit Israel soon to advance the ceasefire.
Axios highlighted that “the agreement to end the Gaza war is a significant diplomatic achievement for President Trump.”