Israeli Peace Council Warns Hamas Amid Ceasefire Violations: Israel Will Respond

The Israeli Peace Council has issued a firm message to Hamas amid ongoing violations of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Since Friday, the Council has operated a mechanism to monitor breaches of the ceasefire agreement, receiving reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about repeated violations by Hamas. Officials from the Council emphasized that while they hope Hamas will honor its commitments, Israel will not hesitate to respond if Hamas breaks the agreement or resumes military activities.

The Council clarified that its goal is to support the disarmament process but not to provide immunity for terrorist actions. They stressed that the Council will not act as a human shield for Hamas, which remains positioned between IDF forces and the Gaza side. Should Hamas fail to comply with the ceasefire terms, Israel reserves the right to take free and direct action against violations.

Israel halted its strikes in Gaza about a week ago, on Sunday, expecting Hamas to cease all military operations within 48 hours. However, reports indicate that Hamas continues to rebuild and strengthen its military capabilities despite the ceasefire. Meanwhile, IDF forces have tightened their rules of engagement, now firing only to push militants away rather than to inflict harm when they approach the border line.

This development underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing tensions in the region, with the Peace Council seeking to maintain the ceasefire while preparing for potential escalations if Hamas breaches the agreement further.