Serious truce violation: Israel strikes Rafah after vehicle targeted in Gaza
In the first attack since the truce came into effect a few days ago, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the city of Rafah.
The strikes came after what Israel described as a “serious violation of the ceasefire,” involving an anti-tank missile fired at an Israeli engineering vehicle in Rafah.
According to Israeli sources, the attack was carried out by Hamas militants, while the Israeli army said it was investigating the incident.
In a brief statement, the army noted that “the vehicle was operating within the security zone when it was hit by an anti-tank missile fired from a populated area in Rafah.”
In retaliation, Israeli fighter jets carried out several air raids on what Tel Aviv called “Hamas targets” in the city.
Loud explosions were heard across the densely populated southern city as Israeli aircraft conducted intense flights overhead.
Israeli military sources described the attack as “the most serious breach” since the start of the ceasefire, saying it “puts international mediation to a real test.”
Unprecedented U.S. warning
This escalation came only hours after an unusual statement from the U.S. State Department, warning of “credible reports” suggesting that Hamas intended to carry out attacks in violation of the truce.
“The United States has informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement that it possesses confirmed intelligence indicating Hamas’s immediate intent to violate the ceasefire against the population of Gaza,” the statement read. “Such an attack would constitute a direct breach of the agreement’s terms and undermine progress achieved through mediation efforts.”
The State Department added: “If Hamas proceeds with such actions, several measures will be taken to protect Gaza’s civilians and preserve the integrity of the truce. The United States and its partners remain determined to safeguard civilian lives and strengthen peace in Gaza and the wider region.”
Urgent mediation and growing concerns
The escalation coincides with Washington’s preparations to dispatch two senior envoys to Israel — Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President J.D. Vance — on a “critical mission” to prevent the collapse of the ceasefire.
According to diplomatic sources, the visit aims to “prevent escalation and keep the window for negotiation open,” especially amid growing tension between the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over post-truce management in Gaza.
The envoys are expected to meet Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss “the establishment of joint monitoring mechanisms to ensure both sides uphold their commitments.”
Shift within the Israeli cabinet
Inside Israel, the attack sparked mounting calls to end the government’s “restraint policy” toward Hamas.
While the Israeli leadership had so far maintained a de-escalation approach, signs of a political shift are emerging within the security cabinet.
Arie Deri, once seen as an advocate of moderation, called for a “firm response to restore deterrence.”
Gideon Saar said that “mocking the understandings must be met with decisiveness.”
Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu to order the army to “resume full-scale military operations in Gaza to crush Hamas.”
A visit at a critical moment
The visit by Witkoff and Vance comes at an extremely sensitive time, as Washington seeks to prevent the collapse of internationally mediated understandings amid growing doubts about the intentions of both sides.
Despite diplomatic rhetoric about “stability and security coordination,” Israeli political sources indicated that “the true goal of the visit is to prevent the outbreak of hostilities before a permanent mechanism for managing the situation in Gaza is established.”
