The U.S. State Department has issued a statement regarding “credible reports” indicating that Hamas may be planning an imminent attack on civilians in Gaza. This potential action is described as a violation of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. The State Department asserts that such an attack would represent a significant breach of the ceasefire, undermining progress made through mediation efforts.
Details surrounding the planned attack have not been disclosed, leaving the specifics of the reports unclear. The current phase of the ceasefire deal involves the return of all living hostages, as well as the recovery of deceased individuals to Israel. Under the agreement, Israel has also released 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.
The U.S. has communicated with other guarantors of the peace agreement in Gaza, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, urging Hamas to adhere to the ceasefire terms. The State Department warned that if Hamas proceeds with the attack, measures will be implemented to protect civilians in Gaza and maintain the ceasefire’s integrity. Hamas has not yet responded to these allegations.
Additionally, President Donald Trump has previously warned Hamas about civilian casualties, stating that continued attacks would prompt a U.S. response, though he clarified that U.S. troops would not be deployed to Gaza.
In a separate incident, the Hamas-run civil defense ministry reported that an Israeli tank shell killed 11 members of a Palestinian family, marking a significant incident involving Israeli forces since the ceasefire began. The Israeli military stated that the soldiers targeted a suspicious vehicle near the occupied area, although it remains unclear if the vehicle crossed the designated boundary.
The backdrop to these events includes an ongoing campaign by Israel in response to a deadly October 7 attack, attributed to Hamas, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 hostages. Reports from Gaza indicate significant casualties, with Hamas-run health figures citing at least 68,000 deaths since that date. A UN commission has accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians, a claim rejected by the Israeli government.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2elr16jjqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss