Israeli jets and artillery launched strikes on positions in southern Rafah on Sunday, following reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that gunmen fired an anti-tank missile and opened fire on Israeli soldiers operating in the area.
The IDF condemned the incidents as a clear violation of the ongoing ceasefire, vowing to respond decisively by targeting militant infrastructure, including tunnel shafts and other assets used by armed groups. In a statement, the IDF stressed that its actions were necessary to eliminate the threat and protect its forces.
However, Hamas quickly denied any involvement in the clashes. The group claimed it had no knowledge of the incidents in Rafah, an area it said remains under occupation control and is thus inaccessible to its forces. According to Hamas’ armed wing, contact with their remaining units in the region has been severed since the resumption of hostilities earlier in the year.
Local sources offered a different narrative, suggesting that the clash involved fighters linked to Yasser Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces, alongside other smaller armed groups. One account described how militants in southeastern Rafah came under surprise tank fire before Israeli warplanes targeted the area, sparking exchanges of small arms fire and artillery bombardments.
Residents near the European Hospital in Rafah reported hearing loud explosions and feeling the ground shake from the strikes. Witnesses also described plumes of smoke rising from the targeted areas, as rubble scattered across the streets.
The confrontation came within the framework of a multi-phase ceasefire brokered by the United States, which had taken effect on October 10. The first phase of the truce included the release of surviving hostages and the return of several deceased captives, along with reciprocal releases and returns by Israeli authorities.
Despite the ceasefire, the IDF maintains control over more than half of the Gaza Strip, having pulled back to a position known as the “yellow line.” Israeli officials confirmed that forces remain deployed to dismantle militant infrastructure and safeguard their troops from attacks.
Hamas, however, has accused Israel of arming rival criminal factions and facilitating the looting of humanitarian convoys. The group claims these tactics are aimed at destabilizing Hamas’ control and inciting internal conflict within Gaza. In response to growing unrest, Hamas has reportedly mobilized thousands of security personnel to reassert control over the region.
The United States, meanwhile, stated it had received “credible reports” suggesting that Hamas may be planning an imminent attack on civilians in Gaza. Hamas strongly denied the allegations, while the U.S. called on all parties involved in the ceasefire, including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, to ensure full compliance with the agreement.
Washington has warned that any deliberate attack on civilians would not only undermine the ongoing diplomatic efforts but could also prompt measures to protect Gaza’s civilian population and preserve the fragile ceasefire. President Donald Trump also reiterated stern warnings against attacks targeting non-combatants, though he clarified that U.S. ground forces would not be sent into Gaza.
Analysts are raising concerns that, without a significant international peacekeeping presence, the Gaza Strip remains highly vulnerable to internal clashes between Palestinian factions, as well as renewed Israeli military operations if ceasefire violations continue.
