IDF Kills Palestinian Attacker, Manhunt Nets 17 Terrorists

UPDATE: In a dramatic escalation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have killed a Palestinian who opened fire on Israeli troops in Gaza, violating the ongoing ceasefire. This urgent incident unfolded on Saturday as the IDF also concluded a major operation, capturing or killing 17 terrorists in a 24-hour manhunt targeting the tunnel networks near Rafah.

The IDF confirmed that the Palestinian attacker fired at Israeli soldiers in a designated humanitarian zone, which they labeled a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.” Footage released by the military showed the assailant firing toward Israeli positions before being neutralized. Fortunately, there were no Israeli casualties reported in this incident.

Military officials stated that this attack is part of a troubling trend where Hamas exploits the ceasefire to launch assaults, noting that dozens of terrorists have attempted to breach Israeli lines since the truce began on October 10. In response, the IDF launched retaliatory strikes against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of five senior terrorists. The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized, “Israel has fully honoured the ceasefire; Hamas has not,” highlighting accusations that Hamas has been using the truce to attack soldiers while also executing Palestinian civilians within Gaza.

In a related matter, Jerusalem is pushing for international mediators to enforce a commitment by Hamas that includes returning the bodies of hostages and enabling the full demilitarization of Gaza. Israel claims that Hamas is still holding the remains of three individuals killed during the conflict on October 7: Israelis Dror Or and Sgt. Maj. Ran Gvili, along with Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak.

A U.S. official, as reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, stated that Washington supports Israel’s right to respond immediately to any violations of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the IDF’s separate operation in eastern Rafah targeted a group of 17 terrorists attempting to escape underground tunnels. The military reported that 11 of the suspects were killed and 6 were arrested, with the latter transferred to Shin Bet custody for further interrogation.

These developments underscore the fragile situation in Gaza, with rising tensions and ongoing military operations that reflect the complexities of the ceasefire agreement. As the situation evolves, the international community awaits further updates on this critical conflict.

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