Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged the government to restart military operations against Hamas following attacks on Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. In a post on X, Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to direct the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “fully and with full force resume combat operations in the Gaza Strip.”
He expressed his concerns about the current ceasefire, stating, “The deceptive notion that Hamas will change its stance or even adhere to an agreement it has signed is, as expected, proving dangerous to our security.” Ben-Gvir described Hamas as a “Nazi terrorist organization” that must be completely destroyed, emphasizing that the sooner this occurs, the better for Israeli security.
Incidents leading to Ben-Gvir’s statement reportedly involved the Palestinian militia Hamas attacking Israeli troops with a rocket-propelled grenade in the southern Gaza Strip. An Israeli military official confirmed the incident, labeling it a “gross violation of the ceasefire,” although precise details were initially unclear. Additionally, a Palestinian sniper allegedly fired upon an Israeli unit, prompting the Israeli Air Force to conduct strikes on targets in Rafah in response.
Since the implementation of an official ceasefire on October 10, 2023, there have been multiple violent incidents, raising questions about the effectiveness of the agreement. Ben-Gvir, who has consistently criticized the ceasefire arrangement, voted against it when it was first proposed.
As tensions escalate, the situation in the Gaza Strip remains precarious, with both sides on high alert following recent hostilities. The Israeli military continues to monitor developments closely, and the potential for a resumption of full-scale conflict looms as calls for action grow louder from key political figures like Ben-Gvir.
