Mutual Warning from Israeli Army and Hamas Regarding Ceasefire Violation

Following border fire between a Palestinian fighter and Israeli soldiers, and subsequent Israeli attacks on Wednesday, December 3, the Israeli army and Hamas warned each other about violations of the ceasefire. On this day, an Israeli soldier was injured and a Hamas military branch fighter was killed. The Israeli army stated that in response to gunfire from a Palestinian fighter at the Gaza border, artillery was fired towards the source of the attack near Shuja'iyya in eastern Gaza. Simultaneously, Israeli fighter jets attacked a Hamas military branch base in eastern Khan Younis and flew over the city of Gaza. Hamas claimed that its military branch forces prevented Israeli soldiers from crossing the border early Wednesday; Israel denied this. In its statement, Hamas declared that the continuation of the ceasefire depends on reciprocal behavior from Israel. The killed fighter, Al-Samiri, was the commander of the observation unit in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military branch in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The Israeli army also reported that the injury to its soldier was severe. This is the first Israeli soldier to be injured following last summer's war. Last month, a Palestinian farmer who approached the border barrier with Israel was killed by Israeli soldiers' gunfire. Last Saturday, a rocket was fired from Gaza towards southern Israel, which caused no casualties or damage as it landed in an open area in the Ashkelon region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously stated, 'We will respond decisively to any attack and will not allow the lives of people in southern Israel to be disrupted again.' General Benny Gantz, Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, also said on Wednesday that his forces are prepared for a 'serious response' to any aggression. However, Hamas leaders, including Mousa Abu Marzouk, stated that they currently have no interest in escalating the situation and entering another war with Israel. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, claimed to have arrested 'rogue' individuals responsible for the rocket attack on Saturday. Hamas has called on all armed groups in Gaza to refrain from attacking Israel at this time. Hamas needs calm for the reconstruction of Gaza and to renew its military capabilities. A ceasefire was established on September 4 after 51 days of military operations between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, mediated by Egypt, but since then, three rockets have been fired at Israel and several other border incursions have occurred. The United Nations expressed concern over the mutual fire on Wednesday and called for patience from both sides. In the summer war, over 2,100 Palestinians and 73 Israelis were killed, and significant damage was inflicted on large parts of Gaza.