Katz threatens a "harsh response,"Hamas is "committed" to truce

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened Hamas with paying a heavy price and "learning the hard way," after Israel announced that the Palestinian movement had violated the ceasefire agreement by targeting Israeli soldiers in the city of Rafah.

Katz added: "We have instructed the IDF to act forcefully against Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza."

The Israeli minister continued: "Hamas will pay a heavy price for every shot and every violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood, the severity of the responses will increase."

For its part, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he had ordered forceful action in Gaza, indicating that instructions had been issued to respond to any ceasefire violations by Hamas.

In this context, Hamas issued a statement affirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and holding Israel fully responsible for any deterioration or collapse of it.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, previously stated that they were unaware of any incidents or clashes taking place in the Rafah area.

It clarified that "these are red zones under Israeli control, and contact with our remaining groups there has been cut off since the war resumed in March of this year."

ANHA