Hamas signals it may leave ceasefire after Israeli response to terrorist shooting

Israel, however, released footage showing a Palestinian terrorist shooting at Israel Defense Forces soldiers in southern Gaza on Saturday, calling it a clear breach of the ceasefire which merited a firm response.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Hamas told Saudi outlet Al Arabiya on Saturday it is considering canceling its agreement with the current Gaza ceasefire, warning mediators that it may withdraw from the arrangement following Israeli airstrikes carried out after terrorists opened fire on Israeli troops in Gaza.

Messages delivered through US and Arab intermediaries said Hamas views the Israeli actions as violations of the agreement.

Israel, however, released footage showing a Palestinian terrorist shooting at Israel Defense Forces soldiers in southern Gaza on Saturday, calling it a clear breach of the ceasefire which merited a firm response.

Israeli officials say the confrontation began when a vehicle crossed the “yellow line” marking the separation area.

According to the IDF, the driver used the humanitarian passageway—intended for aid shipments—to approach Israeli troops, prompting soldiers to eliminate the terrorist involved.

A US official told The Times of Israel that the Trump administration backs Israel’s decision to strike Gaza, assessing that Hamas had broken the truce earlier in the day.

The official added that Washington believes Hamas’ external leadership wants the ceasefire maintained but does not control the terrorists operating inside Gaza.

An Arab diplomat involved in the talks acknowledged that Hamas terrorists have breached the truce but claimed regional mediators view Israel’s military reactions as disproportionate, saying the strikes have caused significant civilian loss of life.

Hamas sources report 21 Palestinians were killed on Saturday, although these numbers are unverified.

Later on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israeli forces killed five senior Hamas figures in the same round of strikes, describing the action as a response to new truce violations.

Netanyahu wrote on X, “Today, Hamas violated the ceasefire again, sending a terrorist into Israel-held territory to attack IDF soldiers. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists.”

His office said Israel has observed the ceasefire while Hamas has not, asserting that “dozens” of the group’s terrorists have crossed the withdrawal line since the agreement took effect.

The statement urged mediators to demand that Hamas uphold the terms of the deal and comply with President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, including returning the bodies of three hostages still held in Gaza and completing its disarmament to enable full demilitarization of the Strip.