The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday admitted that it carried out large-scale strikes against Hamas targets in Rafah in southern Gaza. The ceasefire is officially over, as Israel claimed it attacked following alleged violations of the peace deal reached earlier this month.
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It didn’t take long for this ceasefire deal to collapse. The IDF claims that militant group Hamas fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward troops operating to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure” in the area, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.” This happened on Sunday. Israeli troops responded with several airstrikes on what it called terror targets.
“The IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity,” the military said in a statement. It also claimed that several attacks by alleged Hamas militants took place on Friday and Saturday, according to a report by RT. “These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly.”
Israel’s defense minister Israel Katz said that “Hamas will pay a heavy price for any shooting and violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood, the intensity of the responses will increase,” accoridng to a quote provided by Israeli media.
Hamas denied Israel’s claim, according to a report by RT. “We have no information about any incidents or clashes in Rafah, which is under [Israeli] occupation control,” it said. Separately, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq said the group remains committed to the ceasefire, accusing the Israeli “occupation” of violating it and “seeking excuses for its crimes.”
Gaza’s health Ministry claimed that Israeli strikes have killed at least eight people in the past 24 hours.
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Hostages have already been released along with the remains of some of those who died in Hamas custody. Some bodies have been difficult to recover due to widespread destruction in Gaza.
What do you think abou this ceasefire violation? Is it the fault of any side? Are you surprised that it happened so soon? Let us know what you think in the comments.