The Israeli military announced the deaths of two militants in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, following an exchange that involved both tank fire and airstrikes. This incident occurred amid a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.
In a statement, the military reported that it identified “six armed terrorists in the western Rafah area, adjacent to IDF troops.” They dispatched tanks to the location, which opened fire after coming under attack from the militants, leading to an exchange that included targeted aerial strikes. The military stated that two militants were killed, and troops were actively searching for the remaining individuals.
The ceasefire, which began in October after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas, has seen Israeli forces retreat to positions behind a demarcation known as the “yellow line.” The city of Rafah lies within this zone, which is under Israeli control, while areas beyond it remain governed by Hamas.
Accusations from both sides have surfaced, with each claiming that the other has violated the terms of the ceasefire. Just days prior, the Israeli army reported striking Hamas targets across various sections of the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a failed projectile launch aimed at Israel. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, these strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 13 individuals, including five children.
Since the ceasefire’s initiation, Gaza’s health ministry, operating under Hamas authority, reported that Israeli forces have killed at least 447 Palestinians in Gaza. In contrast, the Israeli military claims that three of its soldiers have been killed during the same timeframe, underscoring the volatile nature of the situation and the challenges faced in maintaining peace in the region.
