Tensions Rise as Israel and Hamas Clash in Rafah

In a recent turn of events, Israel has launched strikes in southern Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaking the ceasefire agreement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Hamas militants fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at IDF troops who were working to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area. In response, the IDF conducted strikes to neutralize the threat and destroy tunnel shafts and military structures used by Hamas. Hamas, on the other hand, claims to still be committed to the ceasefire agreement. They accuse Israel of violating the deal and creating excuses to justify their actions. This exchange comes just five days after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed by world leaders. The agreement includes the release of hostages and prisoners from both sides. During the first phase of the ceasefire, all living hostages have been released, along with 12 out of 28 deceased hostages. Israel's military confirmed that the remains of Ronen Engel, a 54-year-old photographer, and 30-year-old Thai farm worker Sonthaya Akrasri were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. Hamas has blamed Israel for making the returns difficult, as air strikes have destroyed many buildings, and Israel does not allow heavy machinery into the territory.As part of the agreement, Israel has freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1, 718 detainees from Gaza. The bodies of 15 more Palestinians were handed over by Israel via the Red Cross to officials in Gaza, bringing the total number of bodies received to 150. Despite the ceasefire, there have been armed clashes inside the Gaza Strip. An Israeli military official confirmed that air strikes were carried out on Hamas fighters following rocket-propelled grenade attacks and sniper fire by Hamas inside the area controlled by Israel. Under the terms of the ceasefire deal, Hamas is obliged to hand over its weapons and relinquish power, which it has yet to do. Hamas accuses Israel of funding and arming rival gangs, saying that Israel is deliberately empowering these groups to challenge Hamas’s authority and create chaos. Without a strong international presence in Gaza, there is a real risk of further fighting between Palestinian factions. The ceasefire deal, brokered by President Donald Trump, aims to end the two-year-old Gaza war. Phase one of the plan resulted in the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Another part of the plan involves Israeli troops withdrawing to a line that leaves them in control of about 53% of the Strip. In addition to the ceasefire, hundreds of lorries carrying humanitarian aid have started entering Gaza, where a famine was confirmed by UN-backed experts in August. There were no immediate reports of casualties after the recent Israeli strikes in Rafah.