Israel's Minister of National Security Asks PM Netanyahu Not to Take Truce Violations Lightly

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (black clothes) visited his troops in Gaza November 26. (Source/GPO/Avi Ohayon)

JAKARTA - Hawkish National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir appears to be pushing Israel to cancel the ongoing ceasefire agreement with Hamas, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said there was a ceasefire violation in Gaza on Tuesday.

In a statement, Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu not to "hold back" the incident, but to abandon Israel's response and "order the IDF to resume attacks against Hamas."

"We cannot wait for them to kill our fighters," wrote Ben Gvir, reported by The Times of Israel, November 29.

As previously reported, Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the ceasefire regarding the clashes that occurred in Gaza on Tuesday.

Four Palestinians were injured by bullets from Israeli occupation forces, one of them in serious condition in Gaza City on Tuesday, according to a report by the WAFA news agency, as reported by The National News.

Meanwhile, Hamas al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeidah claimed Israeli forces had committed "clear violations" of the ceasefire in the northern Gaza Strip, saying it had "addressed these violations."

"We are committed to a ceasefire as long as the enemy is committed to it, and we call on mediators to pressure the occupation to comply with all terms of the ceasefire on the ground and in the air," stressed Abu Obeidah.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces said a number of its soldiers were slightly injured after being attacked by Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, in what appeared to be the first serious violation of the ceasefire.

According to the IDF, three explosive devices were detonated near troops in two separate locations in the northern Gaza Strip, "in violation of the ceasefire agreement".

The military said that in one of the incidents, shots were also directed at Israeli soldiers, who then returned fire.

"In both cases, IDF forces were within the agreed ceasefire lines," the IDF added.