Last updated: 2.43pm

The Islamic movement launched an operation against a pro-Tel Aviv militia. In the past few hours, the U.S. State Department had spoken of an"imminent" attack on civilians.

October 19, 2025, 2:18 PM

Hamas denies violating the ceasefire

Hamas denies any ceasefire violations and says it is unaware of any clashes in Rafah, where the IDF has carried out air strikes."We reaffirm our full commitment to implementing everything agreed upon, first and foremost the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip," the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement."We are not aware of any incidents or ongoing clashes in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under occupation control, and contact with our groups remaining there has been cut off since the resumption of the war in March this year."

A 42-year-old Palestinian man, Majed Mohammad Dawood, was killed today after being shot multiple times in the abdomen and limbs during an Israeli military operation in the Al-Ein refugee camp in Nablus. Wafa news agency reported that Palestinian Red Crescent medical teams reported that Dawood suffered serious gunshot wounds and underwent emergency resuscitation for heart and respiratory failure before being pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Another 22-year-old man was injured in both legs by shrapnel. The raid involved undercover Israeli troops infiltrating the camp, besieging a house, and firing live ammunition, while further Israeli reinforcements later arrived from the Deir Sharaf checkpoint. Defense Minister Israel Katz said that"Hamas will learn the hard way that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and prevent them from harm." Katz added, after the exchange of fire in Rafah:"We have instructed the IDF to act forcefully against Hamas's terrorist targets in Gaza. Hamas will pay a heavy price for every exchange of fire and ceasefire violation, and if the message is not received, the intensity of the reactions will increase." Ynet reported. Hamas denies any ceasefire violations and says it is unaware of any clashes in Rafah, where the IDF has carried out air strikes."We reaffirm our full commitment to implementing everything agreed upon, first and foremost the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip," the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement."We are not aware of any incidents or ongoing clashes in the Rafah area, as these are red zones under occupation control, and contact with our groups remaining there has been severed since the resumption of the war in March this year."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered "forceful" action against "terrorist targets" in the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire."Following Hamas's violation of the ceasefire, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations with the Defense Minister and military leaders and ordered forceful action against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip," the Prime Minister's Office reported. "This morning, terrorists launched an anti-tank missile and fired at IDF troops engaged in dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. In response, the IDF began striking the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnels and military facilities used for terrorist activities." This was reported by the Israeli army in X, confirming the strikes on Rafah."These terrorist actions constitute a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly," he added. The Hamas-led Gaza Ministry of Health announced Sunday that 15 more Palestinian bodies had been returned to Gaza by Israel, bringing the total number since the beginning of the week to 150. Under the ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump, Israel must hand over the bodies of 15 Palestinians for every deceased Israeli returned. Israel announced this morning that it had identified the remains of two hostages handed over to Gaza last night by Hamas. Hamas said that talks with mediators have begun to initiate the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, introduced by US President Donald Trump. Hazem Kassem, spokesman for the Palestinian group, said last night that the second phase of negotiations"requires national consensus." He also said that Hamas has begun discussions to "consolidate its positions." Kassem reiterated that the group will not be part of the governing authority in post-war Gaza. According to him, Hamas-run government bodies in the Gaza Strip are handling day-to-day affairs to avoid a power vacuum."Government agencies in Gaza continue to carry out their duties, as the power vacuum is very dangerous, and this will continue until an administrative committee agreed upon by all Palestinian factions is formed," he said. Kassem called for the prompt establishment of a Community Support Committee, a body composed of Palestinian technocrats, to manage day-to-day affairs. The operation carried out this morning by Hamas in eastern Rafah aimed to target Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of a militia operating with Israeli support in the area. Media outlets affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic movement reported this. Under the ceasefire agreement, the militia is located in an area under Israeli control. No further details on the attack were provided. The IDF reportedly responded with air strikes after Palestinian militants attacked Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident.

• 1
• 2