The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)has announced that it has carried out air strikes on Rafah after an attack by Hamas on its troops in Gaza.
According to the IDF, its troops were dismantling “terrorist infrastructure” in the Rafah area, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, when they were fired upon.
The army statement said that Palestinian fighters fired antitank missiles and guns in the direction of its soldiers. It called the alleged attack a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.” The Israeli army then responded with air raids.
In response, Hamas said that it is “unaware” of clashes in Rafah and it also alleged that Israel “continues to breach the agreement.”
“We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that was agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip. We are unaware of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under the control of the occupation.”
Hamas
Hamas noted in its statement that contact with its remaining groups in the Rafah area has been cut off since the resumption of war in March of this year.
“We have no information as to whether they have been martyred or are still alive since that date. Therefore, we have no connection to any events taking place in those areas, and we cannot communicate with any of our fighters there, if any of them are still alive.”
Hamas
The deal struck earlier this month required the IDF to withdraw from parts of Gaza, but allows the Israeli army to remain in certain areas, including Rafah.
Pressure from the Israeli political elite is being applied on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume the war, following what Israel claimed was a ceasefire violation by Hamas – which the Palestinian group has rejected.
Opposition leader and former member of Israel’s security council, Benny Gantz, has said all options should remain on the table for Israel, “including a return to military manoeuvring.”
Former Prime Minister and Netanyahu’s rival Naftali Bennett said that Hamas had retaken control of Gaza, adding that the group “must be destroyed.”
Hamas and Israel have been trading blame over violations of the US-mediated ceasefire since it came into force last week.
Israeli Escalation To Hinder Search Operations For Dead Hostages
Meanwhile, Hamas’ armed wing said that any Israeli “escalation” would hinder search operations for the bodies of captives, shortly after Israel launched air attacks and artillery fire at targets in southern and central Gaza.
It said that it has located the body of one more captive, which it said will be delivered to Israel today if conditions on the ground are appropriate.
The latest Israeli air strikes in Rafah come five days after world leaders signed the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, all living hostages have been released as well as 12 out of 28 of those deceased. Israel’s military confirmed yesterday, Saturday that the remains of Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old photographer, and 30-year-old Thai farm worker Sonthaya Akrasri were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza.
They were the 11th and 12th of 28 dead hostages to be returned under the deal. Hamas has blamed Israel for making the returns difficult, as air strikes on Gaza have reduced many buildings to rubble, and Israel does not allow heavy machinery and diggers into the territory.
Also as part of the agreement, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners in its jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
The bodies of 15 more Palestinians were handed over by Israel via the Red Cross to officials in Gaza today, the Hamas-run health ministry said, bringing the total number of bodies it has received to 150.
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