Just when you thought a fragile peace might hold in Gaza, the Israeli military unleashes strikes on Hamas, claiming the group shattered a ceasefire with attacks since Friday.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched targeted operations across northern and southern Gaza, including Rafah, after accusing Hamas of multiple violations of a recently agreed-upon truce, prompting a forceful response under orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Reports indicate that tensions flared as early as Friday when Hamas allegedly began attacking Israeli troops, a direct contradiction to the terms of the ceasefire.
In the southern Gaza area of Rafah, IDF troops faced gunfire and an anti-tank missile while working to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, as permitted under the truce agreement.
The IDF didn’t sit idly by, initiating strikes to neutralize threats and destroy tunnel networks and military setups used for hostile activities in the region.
“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 stated in a release, painting a picture of unprovoked aggression that’s hard to ignore.
Hamas, predictably, has a different story, issuing a statement on Sunday insisting they’re still honoring the ceasefire and claiming no awareness of any skirmishes in Rafah.
“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,” Hamas declared, adding, “We do not know of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area.”
Call it convenient amnesia or a communication breakdown, but their claim of having no connection to fighters in the area—if any are even left—raises eyebrows when bullets are flying.
Adding to the chaos, Hamas has reportedly been clashing with rival Palestinian groups within Gaza since the truce began, even executing at least 33 individuals in recent days as a supposed show of strength.
Israeli sources suggest most of those killed were tied to families accused of collaborating with Israel or backing opposing factions, a grim reminder of the internal power struggles at play.
Verified social media footage, confirmed by a Hamas source to Reuters, captured the chilling execution of seven men by Hamas gunmen in Gaza just days ago, underscoring the brutal reality on the ground.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State sounded the alarm on Saturday, cautioning that Hamas might be plotting an attack on Palestinian civilians, which would blatantly violate the ceasefire.
President Donald Trump didn’t mince words either, warning Hamas on Friday against continued violence within Gaza, hinting at potential U.S. and Israeli intervention if the bloodshed doesn’t stop.
With Israeli tanks poised near the border and troops engaging suspects in northern Gaza, the situation remains a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.
