Gaza City – Despite the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an airstrike in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday, targeting a suspected Islamic Jihad militant.The United States has stated the strike does not constitute a violation of the agreement, citing Israel’s right to self-defense in the face of imminent threats.
The current ceasefire, brokered with the assistance of the US, Qatar, and Egypt, hinges on the complete release of all surviving hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. While Hamas has released all 20 living hostages, the handover of remains has lagged. Only 15 of 28 hostage bodies required for release under the initial phase of the agreement-which began October 10-have been returned. Hamas attributes the delay to difficulties locating bodies buried under rubble from Israeli airstrikes.
According to the IDF, the Saturday strike targeted an islamic Jihad operative planning an imminent attack against Israeli troops in the Nuseirat area.Following the strike,Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza reported receiving four injured individuals,allegedly after a civilian vehicle was hit.
Senator Marco Rubio emphasized that Israel retains the right to act against imminent threats, a position supported by all mediators involved in the ceasefire negotiations. He also stressed the importance of Hamas accelerating the repatriation of the bodies of hostages who died in detention. The continuation of the ceasefire depends on both parties fulfilling their obligations under the agreement.
