The U.S. is taking active steps to prevent the collapse of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas after heavy Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed more than 100 Palestinians. American officials warned both sides that the truce, brokered by the U.S., must hold. The strikes followed the death of an Israeli soldier, which Israel blamed on Hamas. While fighting paused again, U.S. diplomats emphasized that overly severe retaliation or further hostilities could shatter the deal — and urged calm and dialogue instead.