Israel reintroduces truce in Gaza after night of targeted raids against Hamas. The United States calls for restraint, while Minister Israel Katz blocks the Red Cross’ access to detainees. On the northern front, Hezbollah leader Hussein Ali Tohmeh was killed.
From 10 this morning, local time (9 in Italy), the truce in the Strip Gaza has formally returned into force. Israeli military sources confirmed to Times of Israel that the ceasefire was re-established after a night of intense bombing on the Palestinian enclave, conducted in response – according to the army – to “repeated violations” by Hamas. Among these, the killing of some Israeli soldiers a Rafah and the failure to repatriate the bodies of thirteen hostagesstill in the hands of the Islamist movement.
Tuesday evening, following the attack of Hamas occurred in the morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with the Agency of Internal Security (ISA), carried out targeted operations against dozens of the group’s targets in the Strip. According to a military note, the raids hit “observation posts, weapons depots, launch bases, underground tunnels and mortar positions”. Israeli intelligence also indicated that it had targeted several high- and mid-ranking commanders, including three at the battalion level and two deputy commanders, as well as sixteen company leaders.
In the last twenty-four hours, Israel claims to have eliminated dozens of militiamen belonging to various organizations active in Gaza. Among these, the names of stand out Muhammad Isa And Fawwaz ‘Uwaydaboth linked to the elite Nukhba units of Hamasaccused of participating in the October 7 attack. The targets also include members of the Mujahideen group, Muhammad And Nidal Abu Shariabelieved to be involved in cross-border incursions. In an operation defined as “surgical”, the IDF then announced the elimination of Hatem Maher Mousa Qudracommander of a Nukhba company in the northern sector of Khan Yunis, identified as one of those responsible for the assault on the kibbutz Ein Hashlosha during the October massacre. The military spokesman reiterated that «the IDF and the ISA will continue to respond firmly and act decisively against any threat to the security of the State of Israel». However, from Washington a containment message has arrived. As reported by Ynetthe United States would have authorized Israel to react to the attacks of Hamas but without compromising the truce in force. «The United States has demanded that Hamas’ violations – the rockets fired from Rafah and the failure to return the thirteen deceased hostages, including Amiram Cooper And Sahar Baruch – do not lead to a return to war”, writes the Israeli newspaper, underlining that the White House would only have given the green light to a “limited and proportionate response”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defense Israel Katz signed an extraordinary order prohibiting representatives of the International Red Cross from entering Israeli prisons to visit prisoners classified as terrorists. The ban, which came into force immediately, also concerns prisoners recognized as members of the «Nukhba» units or arrested under the law on the detention of illegal combatants. The decision, explains the ministry, is based on an evaluation of the Shin Betthe Israeli Security Agency, according to which the Red Cross visits “could lead to concrete damage to national security”. Katz clarified in a statement that «the analyzes received leave no room for doubt: allow the representatives of the Red Cross meeting with imprisoned terrorists would endanger the state and its citizens. Israel’s security comes first.” The order includes a classified annex with the list of affected prisoners and concerns thousands of people distributed in various penitentiary institutions in the country.
The provision marks a further tightening of the Israeli position on internal security matters, in a context already marked by strong international pressure for the management of Palestinian detainees. According to local observers, the measure of Katz It also represents an indirect political response to Israel’s failure to release Israeli prisoners Hamasa theme that remains central in the negotiations on the ceasefire mediated by Egypt, Qatar And United States.
On the northern front, the IDF also reported that they had eliminated Hussein Ali Tohmehmanager of Hezbollah and responsible for logistical support in the area of Qana, in the south of Lebanon. The operation – dating back to 14 October but only now confirmed – would have neutralized one of the main coordinators of the transfer of weapons intended for strengthening the military capabilities of Hezbollah. «The activities of Tohmeh constituted a direct violation of the security agreements between Israel and Lebanon,” the army stressed in a statement. The elimination of the Lebanese leader and the renewed wave of raids on Gaza they report that, despite the formal ceasefire, tension in the area remains very high. Behind the fragile truce, an unstable balance of power is taking place, with Israel determined to keep the pressure on Hamas And Hezbollahwhile Washington tries to avoid a new collapse of the negotiation process.
