Israel has warned that it will resume full-scale military operations in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold the terms of the current ceasefire, signalling a fragile calm in the war-torn enclave may not last long.
In a statement issued by Defence Minister Israel Katz, the Israeli government emphasized that it would not tolerate any breach of the US-brokered truce agreement. Katz said that Israel remained committed to the ceasefire as long as Hamas adhered to it, but any violations would trigger an immediate military response.
“If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel, in coordination with the United States, will resume fighting and act to achieve a total defeat of Hamas,” Katz’s office said in a statement released on Tuesday.
The defence minister stressed that Israel’s objectives in Gaza had not changed, describing the ceasefire as a temporary measure aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief and hostages’ release rather than an end to the war.
“Our mission remains the same — to change the reality in Gaza and ensure that Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israel or the region,” Katz added.
The remarks come amid cautious optimism following the US-backed truce, which was designed to halt weeks of intense fighting that left thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruins. The ceasefire, mediated with Washington’s involvement and regional partners, has so far brought a measure of relief to civilians, though both sides have accused each other of minor violations.
Analysts say Israel’s latest warning underscores the fragility of the truce and the deep mistrust between the two parties. The United States has urged restraint and called on both sides to honour their commitments to maintain stability and allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.
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