Hamas denies surprise attacks on IDF as Israel vows ‘strong action’ following truce violations

After surprise attacks leave IDF troops wounded, Hamas leadership denies violating Gaza peace deal as Israel vows strong action against terror targets in Gaza.

By World Israel News Staff

Hamas leaders on Sunday denied knowledge or involvement in a series of attacks on Israeli positions inside the Gaza Strip earlier in the day, hours after terrorists carried out multiple violations of the ceasefire agreement.

On Sunday morning, terrorists operating in the Rafah area of southern Gaza fired multiple anti-tank missiles at an IDF force, hitting an armored personnel carrier.

The IDF has confirmed the attack but has yet to release details regarding Israeli casualties. Israeli reports indicate that at least two IDF soldiers were seriously injured in the attack.

After the missile attack, a fierce gun battle began between IDF forces and Gaza terrorists. There were also reports of Hamas snipers opening fire on IDF positions.

Elsewhere in Gaza, eight terrorists were reportedly killed in two separate incidents.

In one case, two terrorists were killed by IDF fire after they attempted to infiltrate Israeli-controlled territory in the Jabalya area of northern Gaza.

Later on Sunday, six more terrorists were killed, according to Palestinian reports, in a drone attack in the Deir al-Balah area of central Gaza.

Following the attacks Sunday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a telephone conference with security officials to weigh Israel’s response.

Hours later, the Prime Minister’s Office declared that Netanyahu and Katz had ordered the IDF to take “strong action” against terrorist forces in Gaza, without providing details.

“Following the violation of the ceasefire by Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a consultation with the Defense Minister and the heads of the security establishment and directed that strong action be taken against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip,” the PMO said.

“Hamas will learn today the hard way that the IDF is determined to protect its soldiers and to prevent any harm to them,” Katz said.

“We have instructed the IDF to act forcefully against Hamas terrorist targets in Gaza. Hamas will pay a heavy price for every shooting and violation of the ceasefire, and if the message is not understood — the intensity of the responses will only increase.”

In a statement released Sunday afternoon, the leadership of the Al-Qassam Brigades – the military wing of Hamas – denied knowledge of Sunday’s attacks, claiming to be in full compliance with the October 10 truce.

“We affirm our full commitment to carrying out everything that was agreed upon, foremost among them the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip,” the Al-Qassam Brigades said.

Hamas leaders claimed the organization has lost direct control over terror cells in the Rafah area.

“We have no knowledge of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area, since these are red zones under the occupation’s control, and communication with what remains of our groups there has been cut off since the resumption of the war in March of this year,” they said.

“We have no information on whether they have been killed or are still alive since that date. Accordingly, we have no connection to any events occurring in those areas and cannot communicate with any of our fighters there if any of them are still alive.”