Ceasefire under fire: Israel strikes Gaza after accusing Hamas of attack

Tensions reignited in Gaza on Sunday as Israeli forces said they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire in Rafah. The Israeli military claimed the assault came from Hamas fighters and responded with airstrikes and heavy shelling in the area. The incident marks the most serious violation of the ceasefire agreement so far.

Israel retaliates with force

According to Israeli officials, the clash occurred beyond the Yellow Line, the designated withdrawal boundary defined in the truce. Reports suggest that Israeli soldiers suffered casualties, though no official numbers were released.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level security meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz and military chiefs, ordering them to “act forcefully against terrorist targets.”

“The Hamas organization will pay a heavy price for every shot fired and every violation of the ceasefire,” Katz warned, adding that Israeli responses would “intensify if the message isn’t understood.”

Meanwhile, far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, urged him to resume the Gaza war in full force.

Hamas insists on commitment to the truce

In a statement, Hamas said it remained committed to the ceasefire agreement and denied any involvement in the Rafah incident. Its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, declared that it had “no knowledge of any clashes” and reaffirmed its adherence to the truce “across all areas of the Gaza Strip.”

However, around the same time, Hamas’s internal Rada’a security force claimed to have launched an operation against a militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab, described as being armed and supported by Israel. The confrontation is believed to have taken place in the same area as the Israeli strikes.

Violence spreads inside Gaza

Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has initiated what it calls a “security campaign” targeting “collaborators, mercenaries, and bandits.” These operations have led to violent clashes with rival groups, including one shocking incident in Gaza City where eight people were publicly executed in front of a crowd.

Analysts warn that these internal conflicts are destabilizing the already fragile security landscape in Gaza, pushing the territory closer to chaos.

Ceasefire at risk

Both sides have traded accusations of ceasefire violations since the truce took effect.

Israel has shot Palestinians near the Yellow Line, which Hamas has condemned as a “flagrant breach” of the deal. Meanwhile, Israel accuses Hamas of delaying the return of deceased hostages and has closed a key border crossing “until further notice.”

With the situation deteriorating rapidly, the U.S.-brokered ceasefire — hailed as a breakthrough just a week ago — now hangs in the balance.