Gaza. Israel has attacked Gaza amid rising tensions amid the US-brokered ceasefire. The action came on the heels of US allegations that Hamas was plotting attacks on civilians in disputed areas of Gaza, which could be a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli Army has not yet issued any statement on this attack. According to some unconfirmed reports, Israel carried out airstrikes in the Rafah area.
According to media reports, this incident came to light immediately after the denial by Palestinian militant organization Hamas which rejected America’s claims. Citing credible intelligence reports, the US alleged that Hamas was planning to immediately attack Gaza residents and then break the ceasefire. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is fully disarmed and the Palestinian territories are demilitarized.
The statement came as Hamas’ military wing the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades handed over the bodies of two more hostages on Saturday night as part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal. Netanyahu said the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed until further notice. He said its reopening would depend on Hamas returning the bodies of dead hostages. The announcement came hours after the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt said the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans, would reopen from Monday.
On the other hand, the US State Department informed all parties to the Gaza peace agreement that Hamas is planning attacks against Palestinians, which would be a serious violation of the ceasefire. However, no concrete details of these credible reports were shared. The statement warned that if Hamas carries out this plan, necessary measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the people of Gaza and the strength of the ceasefire. According to the report, Hamas has reacted sharply to the American statement and termed these allegations as fabricated.