Despite the narrowly holding ceasefire in Gaza, Israel still manages to find exceptions it claims give it the right to continue the killing. On Nov. 22, Israeli strikes in Gaza City, Deir al Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp killed more than 20 people, reported Al Mayadeen. Hamas is thus in a tough position, and in response announced its rejection of all attempts by the Israeli government and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to impose a fait accompli in Gaza that contradicts the agreed-upon terms of the peace deal. Hamas called on mediators to intervene urgently and exert pressure to halt all Israeli violations. The escalation of Israeli violations puts the mediators and the American administration in a position of responsibility for confronting Israel’s attempts to undermine the ceasefire, they said.
There were also claims that Hamas threatened to end the ceasefire altogether, but these were later denied.
The IDF claimed that a Hamas operative crossed the Yellow Line and approached troops in a vehicle, exploiting a humanitarian corridor. They said the gunman opened fire on troops stationed in the area, though without causing any injuries. The troops then returned fire and killed the operative. The incident was a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” the IDF said. In response, the IDF launched the airstrikes, which Netanyahu’s office claimed killed five senior Hamas officials, and which a U.S. official said the Trump administration supported, reported the Times of Israel.
