Tensions escalate in Gaza after renewed Israeli shelling, amid mutual accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement and questions about the motives of the military operations.

The renewed Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip, more than a week after the ceasefire came into effect, sparked widespread reactions on social media, where many users linked these military operations to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to evade his trial.

Despite expectations of a relative lull in the sector after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, Gaza residents were surprised by Israeli airstrikes targeting areas in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip and Rafah in the south.

The U.S. State Department announced that it had informed the guarantor countries of credible information about Hamas’ intention to violate the agreement against the residents of Gaza, noting that an alleged attack against civilians constitutes a serious violation of the agreement, which raised questions about the nature of this attack.

Hamas was quick to deny these accusations, stressing that the occupation authorities are the ones who formed and financed criminal groups in the sector, and that the police in Gaza are doing their duty in pursuing these groups and holding them accountable according to the law.

For his part, the Israeli army spokesman justified the raids by saying that militants fired anti-armor missiles and opened fire on forces that were working to destroy infrastructure in the Rafah area, according to the terms of the agreement, considering this a clear violation of the ceasefire.

In contrast, Israeli media indicated that the raids on Rafah were aimed at protecting Yasser Abu Shabab’s militias, while Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the government is working firmly against what it described as “terrorist targets” in the Gaza Strip, in statements that observers considered an attempt to justify the continuation of military operations.

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, affirmed its full commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement and denied any knowledge of any events or clashes in Rafah, in contrast to the Israeli account of events.

Some comments from tweeters on these developments and the Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip:

  • Musab: “A civil war and disruption of reconstruction with shelling of Israel every now and then, this is what Netanyahu wants, Gaza is destroyed to facilitate voluntary displacement.”
  • Revolution: “A crazy war that refuses to leave us, it returns, and there is shelling as if we are in a never-ending game.”
  • Viklach: “Israel is resuming shelling of areas in Gaza, and Netanyahu refuses to open the Rafah crossing.”
  • Wajdi: “Bombing Gaza again is a trick by Netanyahu to escape the court and trial.”

The Government Media Office in Gaza announced the recording of 47 documented violations of the ceasefire by Israel, resulting in 38 deaths and 143 injuries, indicating the fragility of the agreement and Israel’s lack of commitment to its terms.

source: 961 today