Israel Renews Strikes On Gaza To Defend Its Collaborators (Videos)

Illustrative image. (Israeli Defense Forces)

Israel renewed strikes on the Gaza Strip on October 19 challenging a deal brokered by the United States earlier in the month after claiming that “Palestinian terror operatives” attacked its forces in the area of Rafah in the southern part of the enclave.

In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that the attack, which involved rocket-propelled grenades and two instances of sniper fire against Israeli troops, was “a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement,” vowing to “respond forcefully.”

The troops who came under attack had been operating on the eastern side of the Yellow Line – an area under IDF control in line with the ceasefire deal with Hamas – to destroy “terror infrastructure” in the area “in accordance with the agreement” with Hamas, the military added.

The IDF went on to announce that it launched strikes with fighter jets and artillery in Rafah to “remove threats,” during which several tunnels and buildings where “terror operatives” were spotted were destroyed.

Palestinian media also reported Israeli strikes in the areas of Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat in the center of Gaza. In a follow up statement, the IDF announced a “massive and extensive wave” of air strikes on dozens of targets in the Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF “to take firm action against terror targets in the Gaza Strip,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “Hamas will learn today the hard way that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and to prevent any harm to them.”

The Gaza Civil Defence reported the death of 11 Palestinians since the start of the Israeli escalation. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the agency, said six of the victims were killed when an Israeli strike targeted a “group of civilians” in northern Gaza.

Later, Al-Jazeera reported the death of three Palestinians in an Israeli strike on Nuseirat, which suggests that the death toll has exceeded a dozen.

Hamas, meanwhile, denied responsibility for any attack on the IDF, revealing in a statement that “communication has been cut off” with its operatives in the Israeli-occupied part of Rafah since the resumption of fighting in March.

“We have no connection to any events taking place in those areas and cannot communicate with any of our fighters there if any of them are still alive,” the group’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said.

Palestine media reported that the attack carried out by Hamas in Rafah was intended to target Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of an Israeli-backed militia. This is yet to be confirmed, however.

Since the start of the ceasefire on October 10, Hamas has released all living hostages, and has so far handed back the bodies of 12 out 28 who were killed in Gaza. Still, the group has been facing more and more pressure from Israel and the U.S.

The pressure began right after the release of the living hostages on October 13, when Hamas began to crack down on those who collaborated with Israel, executing over 30 and arresting dozens others. This was used to doubt the group’s intention to disarm, a key element of the peace plan.

U.S. President Donald Trump later called on Hamas to stop the killings in the Strip, vowing that there will be a serious response.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on October 16. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

These remarks were clearly seen by Israel as a green light to renew strikes on Gaza, despite Hamas clear commitment to the ceasefire.

The goal of the ongoing escalation is very clear, and that is to force Hamas to officially state its commitment to disarm and leave the Strip. The U.S. is reportedly making efforts now to resume the ceasefire. Even if this happens, more escalation is to be expected.

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