IDF strikes Gaza after Hamas 'ceasefire violation'

The Israel Defense Forces struck Gaza on Wednesday after Hamas committed a "ceasefire violation," according to the Israeli military.

"BLATANT CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: An IDF reserve officer was severely injured after terrorists opened fire on IDF troops in northern Gaza, during routine operational activity near the Yellow Line," the IDF posted on X on Wednesday. "The injured officer was evacuated to a hospital and his family has been notified. Upon identifying the fire, IDF armored units and IAF aircraft conducted strikes in the area."

At least 19 Palestinians were killed in the strikes on Wednesday, according to Gaza hospital officials, The Associated Press reported.

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing since October, but there have been strikes since then.

The IDF said that its continuing strikes are responses to Hamas violations or militant attacks on its soldiers. Eight Arab and Muslim countries, including ceasefire mediators Egypt and Qatar, recently condemned Israel’s “repeated violations” of the peace deal.

The ceasefire plan has continued to move forward, with Hamas releasing all Israeli hostages and Israel releasing several thousand Palestinians. Also, Israel reopened the Rafah crossing to Egypt. However, next steps in the peace plan — the deployment of an international security force, the disarmament of Hamas, and reconstruction of Gaza — have yet to occur.