In a dramatic escalation, Hamas declared it is pulling out of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating it is "ready to fight" again, The Jerusalem Post reported Saturday.
The announcement follows a recent airstrike by Israel that killed a senior Hamas weapons commander, which the group called a violation of the U.S.-brokered truce.
"The agreement is over and [Hamas] is ready to fight," sources told the Saudi state-owned outlet Al Arabiya, adding that the ceasefire must be mutual and that "Gaza will not become another Lebanon."
Israel’s military claimed the strike targeted a gunman who crossed into Israeli-held territory via a humanitarian corridor and fired on troops, an act Israel regarded as "a blatant violation" of the ceasefire.
While the ceasefire, first implemented on Oct. 10, had ushered in a reduction in large-scale hostilities and enabled humanitarian efforts, sporadic violence has persisted.
With Hamas’ withdrawal, the prospect of a return to broader conflict now looms.
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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