Netanyahu’s statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza.
Netanyahu’s government and Hamas have been trading blame over violations of the United States (US)-mediated ceasefire for days. Late on Saturday in Washington, the State Department said it had received “credible reports indicating an imminent cease fire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.”
The State Department said the planned attack against Palestinian civilians would be a “direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement. Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire,” the department said in a statement, without providing further details.
Hamas denied on Sunday accusations of an “imminent attack” or a “violation” of the ceasefire. It accused Israeli authorities of forming, arming and funding “criminal gangs” that carried out murders, kidnappings and aided looting.
The Palestinian militant group said police forces in Gaza were performing their duty by pursuing those gangs to hold them accountable. “The movement calls on the US administration to stop repeating the occupation’s misleading narrative,” it added.
Trump had said he would consider allowing Israeli forces to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal that he brokered. The militant group has launched a security crackdown in urban areas vacated by Israeli forces, demonstrating its power through public executions and clashes with local armed clans.
–Reuters–
