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Israel strikes Rafah after ‘terrorists fire anti-tank missile’, calls it ‘blatant violation’ of Gaza ceasefire
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reported Gaza strike on Sunday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it has begun striking in the Rafah area to eliminate a threat after terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire towards the Israeli troops.
Israel's strikes in Gaza were first reported by Reuters and other news portals on Sunday, citing Israeli Channel 12, amid tensions over the fragile ceasefire that hung by a thread as the US accused Palestinian outfit Hamas of planning an attack in the disputed territory.
The IDF later confirmed the strikes and said in a post on X, “Earlier today, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.”
“In response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity,” the IDF said.
“These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly,” the post further read.
Reports of the Israeli strike in Gaza came shortly after Palestinian militant outfit Hamas denied US statement that cited credible reports to allege that the an “imminent attack" on Gazans and a subsequent ceasefire violation is being planned by the group.
Also Read | Hamas denies US claim of group's ‘imminent attack’ plan against Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the war in Gaza would not be over until Hamas was disarmed and the Palestinian territory demilitarised.
His warning came as Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, handed over the remains of two further hostages on Saturday night under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu on Saturday announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased hostages.
Netanyahu's statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza.
Also Read | Gaza ceasefire at risk? Israel speaks of ‘Phase 2’ amid blame game over truce violations
The US State Department said on Saturday it informed countries involved in the Gaza peace agreement that an attack by Hamas is being planned against Palestinians and that it would be a “grave” violation of the ceasefire deal.
“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts,” according to a release Saturday by the State Department that shared no details of the “credible reports” it cited.
“Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” the statement said.
Responding to the US State Department statement, Hamas said such allegations were false, Reuters reported.
