The military wing of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, known as the al-Qassam Brigades, has denied any involvement in recent attacks targeting Israeli troops in the southern Gaza Strip. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has heightened concerns regarding the stability of the ceasefire established on October 10.
In a statement released by the al-Qassam Brigades, they emphasized their commitment to upholding all agreed-upon terms, particularly the ceasefire across the Gaza Strip. “We reaffirm our full commitment to implementing all agreed-upon terms, especially the ceasefire across all areas of the Gaza Strip,” the statement read. This declaration came in response to accusations from an Israeli military official who attributed the attacks to Hamas forces operating beyond the withdrawal line defined in the ceasefire agreement.
According to reports from the Israeli military, troops were targeted using an anti-tank missile and artillery fire while stationed in the southern Gaza Strip. In reaction to these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered renewed military actions in Gaza, signaling a potentially escalating conflict.
The al-Qassam Brigades further asserted that they have no knowledge of any incidents occurring in the Rafah area, which they categorized as part of the “red zones” under Israeli control. They noted that since the cessation of the previous ceasefire in March, there has been no communication with Hamas units in that region. “We have not had contact with the remaining Hamas units in that area since the end of a ceasefire in March,” the statement stated, adding uncertainty about the condition of their fighters. “Accordingly, we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas, as we are unable to communicate with any of our mujahideen (fighters) there — if any of them remain alive,” the brigades concluded.
The attacks on Sunday have raised significant concerns regarding the fragile nature of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. With tensions running high, the international community is closely monitoring the situation to assess the potential implications for regional stability. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the commitment of both parties to maintain peace in the region.
