The Israel Defense Forces has returned to its initial position in line with the ceasefire between them and Hamas, hours after fighting ensued in response to alleged violations of the agreement by the Palestinian terrorist group.
Earlier Sunday, the IDF launched strikes on “dozens” of Hamas targets, including weapons facilities and its notorious tunnel infrastructure, in response to a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire by the terrorist group. Hamas terrorists had allegedly been firing at Israeli troops in Rafah, an attack that included an anti-tank missile.
While the back-and-forth in fighting appeared to fracture the truce between the two less than 10 days after taking effect, the IDF announced on Sunday afternoon that the ceasefire has since been “renewed.”
“In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of significant strikes in response to Hamas’ violations, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire, in line with the terms of the agreement,” they said in a statement.
Israel did not, however, rule out more military action if Hamas continues to violate the ceasefire, pledging to “respond firmly to any violation of it.”
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The update came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to take “strong action” against Hamas due to its violation. Besides the aforementioned strikes, the Israeli response included a halting of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which goes against a key part of the peace deal to end the war.
Israel has also moved to close off the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt “until further notice,” after Hamas failed to return all the remains of the 28 deceased hostages. The reopening of the crossing was also part of the Gaza ceasefire.
