Two IDF Soldiers Killed in Rafah Ceasefire Violation, Analyst Warns of Escalation
Two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas militants in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Sunday, marking a severe breach of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that had temporarily halted hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The IDF confirmed the incident, calling it a direct violation of the ceasefire deal that had been enforced since October 10. In response, Israel launched a series of retaliatory strikes, targeting Hamas infrastructure in the region. The military statement highlighted the restoration of the ceasefire following the strikes, though analysts caution that the situation remains precarious amid ongoing tensions.
According to the IDF investigation, the two soldiers, Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, were killed when a militant cell emerged from a tunnel and fired at an excavation vehicle. A reserve soldier was also severely wounded and evacuated to a hospital, according to local reports. The attack is seen as a significant escalation in the conflict, which has claimed hundreds of lives on both sides. The IDF has now resumed its operations under the ceasefire agreement, maintaining a firm stance on protecting Israeli security.
Professor Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), warned that Hamas has repeatedly violated the terms of the ceasefire from the outset. He attributed the group’s actions to its strategy of manipulating Israeli public sentiment by exploiting the deaths of hostages and civilians.