BREAKING: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the killing of a Palestinian who opened fire on Israeli troops in a humanitarian zone, marking a serious breach of the Gaza ceasefire. This incident occurred on Saturday, as the IDF simultaneously concluded a 24-hour manhunt that resulted in the deaths or capture of 17 terrorists attempting to escape from Rafah’s tunnel network.
In a statement, the IDF described the shooting as a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” which has been in effect since October 10. Video evidence released by the military shows the attacker firing towards Israeli positions before being neutralized. Fortunately, no Israeli casualties have been reported, but the IDF emphasized that this attack illustrates a troubling pattern of Hamas exploiting the ceasefire.
In response to the shooting, the IDF launched retaliatory strikes on Hamas positions within Gaza. Reports indicate that five senior terrorists were killed in these operations. The Prime Minister’s Office stated, “Israel has fully honoured the ceasefire; Hamas has not,” accusing the militant group of using the ceasefire to attack Israeli soldiers while harming Palestinian civilians.
Jerusalem is now urging mediators to pressure Hamas into adhering to the commitments outlined in former President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for the ceasefire. This plan includes the return of hostages and the full demilitarization of Gaza. Israel claims that Hamas is still holding the bodies of three victims from the October 7 attack: Dror Or, Sgt. Maj. Ran Gvili, and Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak.
In a separate operation, the IDF reported the successful completion of a manhunt targeting 17 terrorists in eastern Rafah. The military confirmed that 11 of the suspects were killed and six were arrested and taken into custody for interrogation by Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service.
A US official, as reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, stated that Washington supports Israel’s right to respond immediately to any ceasefire violations.
As tensions escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. The unfolding events in Gaza are not just a military conflict; they have profound implications for civilian safety and regional stability.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. For the latest news on Israel, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.
