Israel has accused the Islamist group Hamas this Wednesday of violating the ceasefire after an explosive device injured an Israeli soldier during an operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to a statement published by the prime minister’s office. Benjamin Netanyahuwhich states that “Israel will respond accordingly”.
“(Hamas’) continued public refusal to disarm constitutes a flagrant violation, and today, once again, its violent intentions and violations were confirmed with the detonation of an improvised explosive device that injured an Israel Defense Forces officer,” the official note states. “Israel will respond accordingly,” the statement warned.
The Israeli Government has reiterated in its message that Hamas must comply with what was agreed within the framework of the truce, which “includes his departure from the government in Gaza, the demilitarization of the enclave and a deradicalization process”. For their part, Israeli Army spokespersons reported this Wednesday in a statement that the explosive device was detonated against an armored vehicle during an operation “to clear the Rafah area of terrorist infrastructure”. As a result, a combat officer has suffered “minor injuries” and has been evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.
Drones continue to fly over Gaza
The second phase of the Gaza agreement, sponsored by the American president, Donald Trumptogether with mediating countries, includes the total withdrawal of Israeli troops; in addition to the disarmament of the Palestinian militias, the reconstruction of Gaza and the creation of a transitional government.
The first stage of the agreement, which came into force on October 10, included the cessation of hostilities, in addition to the release of all the hostages by Hamas (one last body still remains) and of the Palestinian detainees, on the Israeli side. Israel also had to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has increased even as restrictions continue.
However, Israeli attacks have not completely ceased and its drones continue to fly over Gaza, while troops shoot at Palestinians who they consider are getting too close to the so-called ‘yellow line’.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip exceeds 70,900, most of them civilians, including more than 20,000 minors, while the injured number more than 171,000 since October 7, 2023according to figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health. That day Israel’s current offensive and bombing began, after the Hamas attack in which 1,200 people died.