The key facts

  • The IDF reported the elimination of four Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in strikes on the north, south and center of Gaza
  • The Israeli army said it struck a discovered sniper position structure in the north of the enclave
  • The strikes came against the backdrop of the July disarmament agreement with Hamas, for which Israel has not officially announced its support

New strikes on the Gaza Strip

The Israel Defense Forces reported that over the past weekend it carried out strikes on the north, south and center of the Gaza Strip, killing four militants from the Palestinian movement Hamas and Islamic Jihad (an organization banned in Russia). The IDF announced this on its Telegram channel, as noted by Gazeta.Ru.

The military's justification

According to the IDF press release, the eliminated militants acted against Israelis and the country's military, systematically violated the ceasefire regime and sought to restore their military capabilities. In addition, according to the army, a military structure used as a sniper position was discovered in the north of the enclave — this facility was also struck.

Context of the disarmament agreement

The strikes came against the backdrop of an agreement announced by the US president on July 31: negotiators in Cairo agreed on the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza. As the agreement is implemented, Israeli troops are to withdraw from the enclave, and responsibility for security will pass to international forces and a new Palestinian police force.

Different interpretations of the terms

Hamas representatives confirmed that the issue of weapons was discussed during the negotiations, but tied its resolution to the withdrawal of IDF troops, the transfer of governance to the Palestinian administration and the start of the enclave's reconstruction. Israel has not officially announced its support for the agreement. Against this backdrop, the IDF reports of ceasefire violations by militants illustrate the continuing tension: new strikes are being carried out after the Cairo agreement was reached, the terms of which the parties interpret differently.