Hamas warns Gaza ceasefire risks collapse after string of Israeli assassinations
Hamas on Thursday warned that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza is at risk of collapse following an escalation in Israeli air strikes this month.
The Palestinian group said at least 20 people were killed over the past two days in a fresh wave of bombardment targeting residential homes.
The statement came after an Israeli air strike hit a building in Gaza City on Wednesday night during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
The strike killed at least 10 people, including two children and two women, according to local media reports.
Israeli media said the attack targeted Ezz al-Din Beik, described as commander of Hamas’s northern Gaza brigade, and Imad Aslim, described as deputy commander of the Gaza City brigade.
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There was no confirmation from Palestinian media or Hamas regarding the targeting of the two men.
“The US administration and the countries guaranteeing the agreement must assume their responsibilities by taking a clear stance condemning the occupation’s violations,” Hamas said.
It added that “urgent and serious steps must be taken to ensure the occupation complies with the terms of the deal, which is at risk of collapse due to its ongoing crimes and repeated breaches”.
On Tuesday, the eve of Eid al-Adha, Israeli forces bombed another house in Gaza City, killing Mohammed Odah, the new head of Hamas’s armed wing, along with five civilians.
Hamas confirmed Odah’s death, saying he had been appointed commander of the group’s armed wing after his predecessor, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, was killed two weeks ago.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 906 people in the Gaza Strip since the US-mediated ceasefire in October, and wounded more than 2,700 others.
Overall, Israeli attacks have killed at least 72,800 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. Thousands more remain missing beneath the rubble and are presumed dead.
Gaza’s Government Media Office said earlier this week that Israeli violations of the ceasefire had reached 3,000 breaches.
In addition to near-daily strikes and killings, which have intensified in recent days, the violations include ongoing restrictions on the entry of aid, the travel of patients abroad, and the expansion of Israeli occupation in the strip.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday that the latest strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Gaza had been approved by the US-created so-called “Board of Peace”.
“We consider the elimination of senior figures in the terrorist organisation’s military wing to be part of the process of disarming Hamas,” a source from the body said.
Kan added that representatives from the body had requested permission from the Israeli army to enter the Gaza Strip, which could be facilitated in the coming days.
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