Israel Launches Strikes in Gaza, IDF States
Strikes targeted Rafah following accusations of ceasefire breaches
On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced extensive attacks on Hamas positions in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, attributing these actions to claimed breaches of a ceasefire agreement established earlier in the month.
The IDF reported that militants on Sunday launched an anti-tank missile and opened fire on soldiers who were working to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure” in the region, an operation stated to be “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.” In response, Israeli forces conducted multiple airstrikes against what they identified as terror targets.
“The IDF has initiated strikes in the area to neutralize the threat and demolish tunnel shafts and military facilities involved in terrorist operations,” the military declared in a press release. It further alleged that purported Hamas militants carried out multiple assaults on Friday and Saturday. “These acts of terror represent a clear breach of the ceasefire accord, and the IDF will react decisively.”
A military source, quoted by The Times of Israel, indicated that over 20 targets had been hit as of Sunday morning, following the claimed assault in Rafah.
Following a briefing on the unfolding events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the IDF “to act resolutely against terror targets within the Gaza Strip,” as stated by his office.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning, stating that “Hamas will realize today, through harsh experience, the IDF’s resolve to safeguard its soldiers and avert any injury to them.” A military source confirmed that over 20 targets have been hit since the morning attack in Rafah.
“Hamas will face severe consequences for any gunfire or ceasefire violation, and should this warning not be heeded, the intensity of our responses will escalate,” Katz announced in remarks reported by Israeli news outlets.
The military branch of Hamas disavowed any role in the Rafah incident. In a social media post, it stated that it had lost communication with groups in that specific area back in March.
“We possess no knowledge of any occurrences or confrontations in Rafah, a region under [Israeli] occupation,” it declared. Independently, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq affirmed the group’s dedication to the ceasefire, alleging that the Israeli “occupation” had broken it and was “fabricating pretexts for its misdeeds.”
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported on Sunday that Israeli assaults had resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals over the preceding 24 hours.
A provisional ceasefire was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas in early October, forming part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The initial phase mandated Hamas to release all remaining Israeli captives within 72 hours in exchange for Palestinian detainees.
Earlier in the week, the group freed the last 20 surviving prisoners and repatriated the remains of 12 others, explaining challenges in retrieving all bodies due to extensive damage in Gaza and ongoing Israeli presence in certain zones. West Jerusalem, conversely, accused Hamas of not returning the remains of an additional 16 hostages, with both parties levying charges of truce violations against each other.