Is the Ceasefire Over? Israel Prepares to Attack Gaza

After Hamas's violation of the ceasefire, Israel is preparing to intensify attacks against the terror organization in the Strip. It is not yet clear what the level of response will be, and many point out that today's Israeli response will determine, among other things and to a large extent, the nature of the conduct going forward.

Meanwhile, the IDF began attacking today (Sunday) from the air in the southern Strip and eliminated, according to reports, several terrorists. This after terrorists opened fire and launched an anti-tank missile toward the forces.

The IDF Spokesperson stated today that "Earlier today, terrorists fired anti-tank missiles and carried out shooting toward IDF forces, which were operating to destroy terror infrastructure in the Rafah area in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The IDF began strikes with Air Force fighter jets and artillery fire in the Rafah area to remove the threat, and destroyed several operational shafts and military buildings where terrorist activity was identified. This is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF will respond with force."

Senior defense officials held a situation assessment today following the serious incident, and at its conclusion, an Israeli source expressed that the IDF is preparing a "set of strikes" against Hamas. This according to a report by journalist Amit Segal.

A senior political official told Israel Hayom that Israel’s recent actions in Rafah are far from symbolic. “These aren’t empty strikes,” the official said, emphasizing that the response is decisive.

He added that Israeli forces anticipated a breach of the agreement and had prepared a comprehensive target list in advance. “They’re being hit hard and it’s not over,” the source warned.

In the coalition and opposition, calls were heard today to respond harshly to Hamas. Chairman of the Democrats Yair Golan tweeted today: "Hamas's attack in Gaza requires a decisive response - only this way do we set the rules of the game. The absolute victory in the Gaza Strip requires building a moderate alternative government to Hamas - an issue that the government abandoned and chose absolute failure."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tweeted one word - "War."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called "on the Prime Minister to order the IDF to fully resume fighting in the Strip with full force. False illusions that Hamas will change its skin, or even uphold the agreement it signed, are proving as expected to be dangerous to our security. The Nazi terror organization must be destroyed completely - and the sooner the better."

Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz: "Hamas violated the agreement today and put the State of Israel to the test - and like in Lebanon, we must not blink. All options must be on the table - including return to maneuver. We must not return to 6.10."

Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu party, MK Avigdor Liberman, called earlier: "In the Middle East there is one language - power. Real iron wall policy. Zero cracks, zero tolerance. Hamas is stretching the boundaries because someone allows it. Plays and drags out the return of the hostage bodies, and a short time ago - violates the ceasefire, and shoots at an IDF force aiming to harm our heroic soldiers. The only response to terror and Hamas is power. Force. Iron wall!".

MK Amit Halevi, Likud: