`The Israeli military conducted strikes against Hamas in Gaza after accusing the terrorist organization of repeatedly violating its ceasefire agreement on Sunday.
An Israeli military official confirmed the strikes to Fox News on Sunday, pointing to attacks by Hamas since Friday. The IDF later confirmed that it was taking actions in Gaza.
“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,” the IDF said in a statement.
“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,” it continued.
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Israel has responded by striking areas in the north and south of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says he has instructed the minister of defense and other security heads to “act forcefully” in reaction to the attacks.
Hamas claims it has “no knowledge” of any attacks against Israeli forces, releasing a statement on Sunday saying they were still abiding by the terms of the agreement.
“We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip. We have no knowledge of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area,” the group wrote.
“We have no connection to any events occurring in those areas, nor can we communicate with any of our fighters there if any of them remain alive,” it added.
The reported attacks on Israeli troops comes after Hamas spent days fighting Palestinian rival groups after the ceasefire went into effect.
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According to Reuters, Hamas executed at least 33 people in recent days in what officials described as a campaign to “show strength” after the ceasefire. Israeli sources say most of those killed belonged to families accused of collaborating with Israel or supporting rival militias.
The U.S. Department of State on Saturday warned on Saturday that Hamas may break the peace agreement with a “planned attack” on Palestinian civilians.
“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,” the department said in a statement on social media. “The guarantors demand Hamas uphold its obligations under the ceasefire terms.”
“The United States and the other guarantors remain resolute in our commitment to ensuring the safety of civilians, maintaining calm on the ground and advancing peace and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the region as a whole,” the statement continued.
President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Friday that continued attacks on Palestinians would force the U.S. and Israel to intervene.
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“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” he wrote on X.
Fox News’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report
