In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of breaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement following the wounding of a military official by a detonated explosive device in Rafah.
His office stated that Hamas must implement the October agreement fully according to their statement: “The agreement foresaw the removal of Hamas from positions of power in Gaza, as well as demilitarization and deradicalization of Gaza.”
“Israel will respond accordingly,” it stated.
The Israeli military had earlier stated that an explosive device exploded against an Israeli military vehicle in the southern part of Rafah in the Gaza strip, lightly injuring an officer.
Although violence has decreased but not ceased since the truce in the Gaza Strip came into action on October 10, both parties have repeatedly accused each other of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
In a statement released by the Hamas office in Gaza City, it is reported that Israel has killed more than 400 people in the Gaza Strip since the truce came into action.
Added to these declarations is a 20-point plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump in September that proposes a initial ceasefire and then a peace agreement. It envisages, in the long run, the disarming of Hamas and its absence from the ruling structure in Gaza, as well as an Israeli withdrawal from this territory that has been devastated after two years of hostilities. The sides have not completely agreed on all of it. Hamas has declared that it would give up its weapons only after a Palestinian state has been created.
