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The Israeli military on Wednesday morning reaffirmed its commitment to the US-brokered cease-fire in Gaza, which had been jeopardized after a deadly Hamas attack on its soldiers the previous day prompted retaliatory strikes.
“Following a series of significant strikes in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were attacked, the IDF has begun renewed enforcement of the agreement after its violation by the Hamas terror organization,” according to a statement.
As part of its retaliation, the IDF said it targeted more than 30 high-ranking commanders from various terrorist groups operating in Gaza.
“The IDF will continue to uphold the cease-fire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,” the statement added.
IDF Master Sgt. (res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum was killed in southern Gaza on Tuesday.
According to Israel’s “Army Radio,” he was killed when “enemy fire” struck his bulldozer during operations in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, which remains under IDF control under the terms of the cease-fire.
Minutes after the initial shooting, anti-tank missiles were fired at an armored IDF vehicle, though no further casualties were reported.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced Tuesday night that, following a security briefing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF to “carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip.”
US President Donald Trump, speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, voiced support for Netanyahu’s response to Hamas’s truce violation.
“They killed an Israeli soldier, so the Israelis hit back, and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back,” Trump said.
