Renewed Hamas attacks raise fears of ceasefire breakdown in Gaza

Terrorists attempting to flee through underground tunnels were captured or eliminated as Hamas delays return of hostage remains and continue to issue threats regarding ceasefire.

Recent developments in the Gaza Strip have reignited the question of the ceasefire’s resilience in the face of repeated violations by Hamas. Terrorists besieged in a tunnel in Rafah attempted to emerge and flee into hiding, but encountered IDF forces. Meanwhile, despite pressure from mediators, the return of the three remaining hostages remains delayed.

Against this backdrop, the question arises: What is happening in Gaza now? Will the ceasefire hold or collapse?

Multiple terrorists attempted to emerge from the tunnel without detection in the southern Strip but failed in their mission, with 17 terrorists captured or eliminated. Military sources stated that detainees were transferred for interrogation.

The IDF is not certain how many terrorists are still underground, despite reports of around 150. Some military sources estimate the number at approximately 80.

Military sources warn of strong response

The current assessment is that the 17 terrorists emerged due to food shortages and attempted to retreat towards Al Mawasi, believing the IDF would not identify the escape route. Military sources warn that if the remaining terrorists emerge from the tunnels, they will be eliminated or arrested.

Hamas terrorists also attempted to cross the Yellow Line into IDF-controlled areas of Gaza on Saturday morning. The IDF opened fire and identified a hit. Also on Saturday morning, IDF forces identified a suspicious jeep traveling alongside trucks carrying humanitarian aid or medical vehicles. A terrorist exited the jeep and began firing towards the IDF soldiers, who returned fire, eliminating him.

The IDF said the terror activity was “a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.” In response, it was decided to kill the commanders in Hamas’s military wing, including company commanders, battalion headquarters staff, and the head of the weapons production unit who had managed to evade Israeli intelligence since the start of the war.

In accordance with the policy of Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF continues to scan the area between the border and the Yellow Line to locate terror infrastructure, including command centers, weapon depots, and underground tunnels and shafts.

According to military sources, “there are additional infrastructures known to the IDF that must be reached and destroyed.”

They added that the IDF will continue to respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas leadership still threatening through Arab media

While Hamas conveys threatening messages through Arab media about blowing up the ceasefire agreement, security sources say it is unclear whether Israel and Hamas are approaching a collapse of the ceasefire, but hint that Hamas’s senior figures will have no human shields if they continue to violate the agreement and drag Israel into harsh responses.

“The IDF knows how to broaden the range of responses,” military sources warned.

According to security sources, there is no progress at this stage regarding the transfer of the three deceased hostages held by Hamas, despite pressure from Israel and the mediators on the organization. This issue, among other factors, is preventing a move to Phase B.