Israel has accused Hamas of launching sniper and RPG attacks in what it called a ‘blatant violation of the ceasefire’
Israeli forces have launched air strikes on Gaza, according to reports, after what they described as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire by Hamas.
It is understood the Israeli military are carrying out the airstrikes in Rafah, southern Gaza following exchanges of fire between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Palestinian militants from Hamas.
The renewed strikes throw the already fragile ceasefire into precarious territory.
An Israeli military official said on Sunday that Hamas militants had carried out multiple attacks against Israeli troops beyond the yellow line buffer zone – which marks territory still under Israel’s control – including a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.
Both the The Times of Israel and Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli air force was attacking Rafah over Hamas violations of the ceasefire.
A senior Hamas official said the group was “committed to the ceasefire agreement”.
Although, the government media office in Gaza said on Saturday that Israel had committed 47 violations after the ceasefire deal, leaving 38 dead and 143 wounded.
Neither Israel nor Hamas mentioned the reported strikes.
It comes after the US State Department issued a warning overnight of “credible reports” indicating that Hamas would imminently violate the ceasefire deal with Israel – something the group had denied.
The renewed strikes are the latest developments in a succession that have already tested an increasingly fragile ceasefire deal, brokered by the US.
The IDF said on Friday that several terrorists were “identified exiting a tunnel shaft in the Khan Yunis area”. They were said to have approached IDF troops operating in the area “causing an imminent threat to them”.
“The terrorists were struck, in accordance with the agreement”, the military said.
It added that “several terrorists exited a tunnel shaft in the Rafah area and opened fire toward IDF troops” the same day.
There were no injuries to the military personnel reported but IDF troops were “deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove immediate threats”.
A third incident in the city of Tubas in the West Bank, reported by the IDF, saw a terrorist throw an explosive device at Israeli troops.
Two IDF soldiers were understood to have been injured and evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.
The ceasefire deal, which came into force on 10 October, has been been hampered by delays and setbacks.
Hamas has handed over the 20 living hostages it took on 7 October 2023.
But it was also expected to return the 28 bodies of the remaining dead hostages. So far, only 12 have been returned.
In exchange, Israel must release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and allow aid deliveries into Gaza.
The Rafah crossing, which has been largely shut since May 2024, was expected to reopen today but has been kept closed “until further notice”.
