Hamas Violates Ceasefire; Israeli Jets Scrambled Over Gaza
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – “Hamas terrorists” violated a ceasefire agreement on Tuesday by attacking Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip, but efforts were underway to extend the truce, Israeli sources said.
Soon after the reported attack, Israeli fighter jets were scrambled over the Gaza Strip, Palestinian media reported.
The apparent truce violations came as Israel expected the return of a further 10 hostages held by Hamas since October 7.
However, at least three Israeli soldiers will not return as they were killed and their bodies taken by Hamas on October 7, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The fallen troops were identified as Tomer Yaakov Ahimas, 20, Kiril Brodski, 19, and Shaked Dahan, 19.
As tensions rose, a spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that Israeli forces had committed a “clear violation” of the ceasefire in the northern Gaza Strip. Spokesman Abu Obeidah claimed that Hamas had “dealt with” this violation.
COMMITTED TO TRUCE
“We are committed to the truce as long as the enemy has committed to it. And we call on the mediators to pressure the occupation to adhere to all the terms of the truce on the ground and in the air,” added Obeidah in published remarks.
Under the terms of the agreement, 11 Israeli hostages returned to Israel on Monday, bringing the total released to 76.
But many families were still uncertain Tuesday when and if their loved ones will return.
Despite the uncertainty and isolated clashes, the United Nations said it had managed to get “desperately needed aid” into Gaza but added “much more” is needed.
Hamas crossed the border and killed 1,200 people in Israel on 7 October, with about 240 taken hostage.
Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 14,500 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign, although those figures have been complex to verify independently.
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