Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – On the evening of March 3, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a retaliatory airstrike on southern Gaza, citing Hamas's violation of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in at least six deaths. On the same day, the Israeli government announced it would reopen the Rafah border crossing in the coming days.
According to the Palestinian News Agency, an Israeli drone struck a displaced persons' tent camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on the evening of March 3, killing six people, including two children, and injuring dozens more.
The IDF issued a statement saying the airstrike targeted a Hamas militant, but did not disclose his identity. Preliminary investigations by the IDF indicate that earlier that day, in Israeli-controlled territory of Rafah, an IDF reconnaissance unit was conducting operations when it encountered two Palestinian militants emerging from a tunnel. One of the militants fired a rocket at an Israeli armored personnel carrier arriving as reinforcements, injuring five Israeli soldiers, one seriously. Israeli soldiers opened fire, killing one militant, while the militant who fired a rocket at Israeli forces was wounded and escaped back into a tunnel. An Israeli military manhunt is underway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement. He stated that Israel will not tolerate any attacks on Israeli soldiers and will retaliate accordingly.
According to The Times of Israel, dozens of Hamas militants remain trapped in tunnels in the Israeli-controlled area east of Rafah. In recent weeks, Israeli forces have killed more than 30 militants attempting to escape through the tunnels and captured eight others. Hamas previously stated that it had lost contact with these militants hiding in the Rafah tunnels.
The Israeli government announced on the 3rd that it will reopen the Rafah crossing in the coming days to allow Palestinians to cross from the Gaza Strip to Egypt.
The Rafah crossing, located at the southern end of the Gaza Strip and connecting to the Egyptian border, is a major route for international humanitarian aid entering and leaving the Gaza Strip. Israel currently controls the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense's agency responsible for coordinating aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip issued a statement on the 3rd, stating that this move "is in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and instructions from the highest levels of Israeli politics." Gaza residents, after obtaining approval from Israeli security services, can coordinate with Egyptian authorities to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The process will be monitored by an EU delegation.
The Egyptian General Information Authority issued a statement on the 3rd, denying Israeli media reports that Egypt and Israel had coordinated the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip. An Egyptian official source stated that if a consensus is reached on opening the Rafah crossing, people will be allowed to enter and exit the Gaza Strip through this crossing, enabling two-way traffic. (End)
