Gaza Tensions Rise: Palestinian Killed, Ceasefire at Risk
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza is once again under strain. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike claimed the life of a Palestinian in Gaza, leading to a renewed exchange of accusations between Israel and Hamas regarding breaches of the truce. The incident underscores the precariousness of the situation following a two-year conflict that had largely subsided.
The Airstrike and its Aftermath
According to health authorities in Gaza, the airstrike occurred near a vegetable market in the Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. The identity of the Palestinian killed in the strike has yet to be released. The Israeli military stated that the target was an armed individual posing a threat to its forces. This attack follows reports of attacks on Israeli forces by armed individuals in areas where Israeli forces remain deployed, as part of the ceasefire agreement.
Accusations and Counter-Accusations
Both sides have traded accusations of violating the ceasefire. Hamas has not yet commented on the recent events, but in a separate statement, it detailed what it described as Israeli violations of the October ceasefire agreement, claiming that these violations have resulted in the deaths of over 200 people. In contrast, the Israeli military reported that three soldiers had been killed by Palestinian militants during the same period.
Political Statements and International Involvement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue to respond to any attempts to harm its forces in Gaza, vowing to continue targeting Hamas. He further stated that there are still Hamas strongholds in areas under Israeli control and that Israel is working to eliminate them systematically. Netanyahu added that any Israeli action in Gaza is communicated to Washington. Hamas, for its part, has criticized the United States, stating that it is not doing enough to ensure Israel adheres to the ceasefire agreement.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of approximately 200 U.S. soldiers stationed at a base in southern Israel, tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and planning for an international force to stabilize the region. General Dan Ken, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Saturday to discuss the conditions in Gaza. However, there are few signs of progress on the next steps of the 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, with significant obstacles remaining, such as the disarmament of Hamas and the timeline for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Source: Annahar
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