Hamas violates agreement: Israel attacks Gaza again
Tel Aviv: Israeli forces carried out air and ground strikes across several areas of Gaza, including Rafah, on Sunday, killing 18 people and leaving several others injured. The operation was launched in response to alleged Hamas rocket fire into Israeli-controlled territory. According to Israeli officials, two Israeli soldiers were also killed during the clashes. This marks the first major escalation since the ceasefire agreement came into effect a week ago.
In response to the renewed violence, Israel suspended all aid routes into Gaza, saying that essential supplies would not be allowed to enter the territory until further notice. The Israeli government accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to take “strict action” against any violations.
Hamas, however, denied involvement in the recent attacks, asserting that it remains committed to the truce.
Following the operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the ceasefire agreement would remain in place but warned that any further violations would be met with stronger retaliation.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials confirmed that the Rafah border crossing—the key gateway between Gaza and Egypt—would remain closed indefinitely. Netanyahu’s office said the crossing would only reopen once there is “clear evidence” that Hamas is adhering to the terms of the ceasefire.
In contrast, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing would temporarily open on Monday to allow Palestinians wishing to return to Gaza to do so.
Gaza’s local authorities, however, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire 47 times since it came into effect, alleging repeated airspace incursions and artillery fire over the past eight days.
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