A bomb blast has struck an Israeli armored vehicle in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, resulting in the injury of an officer. The incident occurred in an area fully controlled by the Israeli military, according to Hamas, which has denied responsibility for the explosion. The Palestinian group has called on the international community to pressure Israel to comply with a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10.

The ceasefire agreement required Israeli forces to pull back from parts of the enclave and Hamas to free the last 20 remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas has stated that it bears no responsibility for any incidents since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, particularly regarding explosives planted by the occupation itself in the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Hamas for the explosion, arguing that the group “has no plan to disarm,” a core requirement of the truce. However, Hamas has urged Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and refrain from fabricating excuses to escalate and undermine the truce. The group has reaffirmed its commitment to the terms of the agreement and called on Israel to implement signed agreements.

The incident has raised concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire, which has been in place for several weeks. Despite the agreement, Israeli airstrikes have continued, and humanitarian aid has lagged, worsening conditions in Gaza, according to UN agencies and regional mediators. Palestinians have accused Israel of violating the agreement, which was brokered after a surprise Hamas attack in October 2023 that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages.

The Gaza health authorities have reported that over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli operations in the enclave. The international community has been called upon to pressure Israel to comply with the ceasefire agreement and to refrain from fabricating justifications for continued escalation. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the agreement. The incident highlights the need for a lasting and sustainable solution to the conflict, which has resulted in significant human suffering and loss of life.