Hamas has violated the Gaza ceasefire agreement by firing on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in Rafah, an Israeli military official confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday. The breach occurred amid an already fragile truce aimed at pausing the two-year conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization.
According to the official, Israeli troops came under fire from Hamas operatives in the southern Gaza city, marking the latest escalation since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10. The ceasefire had temporarily halted hostilities and included an agreement for hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
“Following the security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the military echelon to carry out immediate and powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” the Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Tuesday.
The Israeli government has not immediately released details on potential casualties or operational responses following the new violation.
Earlier this month, on October 19, two IDF soldiers were killed by Hamas gunmen in Rafah during a similar attack. The fallen soldiers were identified as Major Yaniv Kula, 26, a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, a combat soldier in the same battalion. Both men were from Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, a city in central Israel.
According to an initial IDF investigation, a Hamas militant cell emerged from an underground tunnel and opened fire on an excavation vehicle being used by the Israeli military. The attack killed the two soldiers and left a reserve soldier critically wounded. The injured soldier was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In response to that earlier attack, the IDF launched coordinated air and ground strikes targeting Hamas positions throughout southern Gaza.
“The IDF also struck and dismantled six kilometers of underground terrorist infrastructure, using over 120 munitions. The underground site was used by the terrorist organization to advance attacks against the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said at the time.
The IDF continues to monitor ceasefire compliance and has emphasized that Hamas’ repeated violations jeopardize ongoing mediation efforts. Israeli officials have stated that any attack on its soldiers constitutes a breach of the agreement and will be met with decisive military action.
As of Tuesday evening, the IDF had not released additional information about the latest exchange of fire. The incident underscores growing concerns about the durability of the ceasefire, which has faced multiple challenges since its implementation.
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