The Israel Defense Force (IDF) continued to carry out deadly attacks in Gaza over the weekend, leading critics to warn that the week-old ceasefire deal remains in name only.
Israel also announced that the transfer of humanitarian aid into the famine-stricken enclave was halted “until further notice,” a clear violation of the ceasefire terms. A short time later, reportedly under pressure from the U.S. government, it reversed course again.
At least five Palestinians were killed and many injured by an Israeli attack on Az-Zawayda, central Gaza, medics from Al-Aqsa Hospital reported. This followed the killing of two Palestinians in an Israeli air attack in northern Gaza, according to the Wafa news agency.
The IDF admitted to carrying out air attacks in Rafah, saying it was in retaliation for anti-tank missiles and gunfire being aimed at their troops by Hamas. The group said it was respecting the ceasefire agreement and was unaware of any fighting in Rafah.
A statement from Hamas said: “We have no knowledge of any incidents or clashes taking place in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under the occupation control. Contact with the remaining groups of ours there has been cut off since the war resumed in March of this year.”
The violence followed accusations by the U.S. State Department on Saturday that it had obtained “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.”
“Should Hamas proceed with this attack,” it warned, “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.” The State Department statement did not offer any details about the alleged planned attack.
Hamas labelled the U.S. allegation false and called on the U.S. to “stop repeating the occupation’s misleading narrative and to focus on curbing its repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.”
The Gaza Government Media Office revealed on Saturday that they had counted around 50 Israeli violations of the peace deal, leaving 38 Palestinians dead and 143 injured since the start of the ceasefire.
It called Israel’s actions “flagrant and clear violations of the ceasefire decision and the rules of international humanitarian law.”
Israel has also blocked the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Morning Star
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