The Israeli military carried out strikes in Gaza after accusing Hamas of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement, with Israeli officials pointing to a series of attacks on troops since Friday that prompted an IDF response. An Israeli military official confirmed the strikes to Fox News and the Israel Defense Forces later issued a statement saying it was taking action in Gaza to eliminate threats and dismantle infrastructure used for militant activity. Fox News+1
IDF Statement on Clashes in Rafah
“Earlier today, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement,” the IDF said, and added that “In response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity.” Israel reported strikes in both the north and the south of the Gaza Strip following those reported incidents. Fox News+1
Political Directives and Hamas Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the defense minister and other security heads to “act forcefully” in reaction to the reported attacks, signaling a directive for robust military steps in response to the alleged ceasefire breaches. Hamas, for its part, denied knowledge of any attacks on Israeli forces and issued a statement asserting continued adherence to the ceasefire, writing “We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip. We have no knowledge of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area.” The group further stated “We have no connection to any events occurring in those areas, nor can we communicate with any of our fighters there if any of them remain alive.” Fox News
