Blast in Gaza Injures Soldier as Israel Accuses Hamas of Ceasefire Breach
JERUSALEM — A powerful blast in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday wounded an Israeli soldier and reignited tensions in the fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, officials said, highlighting ongoing challenges in efforts to secure a lasting truce. The incident occurred amid broad diplomatic talks aimed at advancing the ceasefire’s second phase, but the disagreement over responsibility for the explosion threatens to slow progress toward a more durable peace.
According to military sources, an explosive device detonated beneath an Israeli military vehicle in the southern city of Rafah while troops were working to dismantle militant infrastructure there. The soldier suffered light injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Israel’s government swiftly accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement, saying that the blast undermined the delicate calm that has largely held since the truce took effect on Oct. 10.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement condemning what his office described as a “clear breach” of the ceasefire, pledging that Israel would “respond accordingly” if similar incidents occur. The Israeli military’s assertion of a ceasefire violation adds pressure on the already strained temporary pause in hostilities, even as international mediators push for the next steps in peace planning.
Hamas, for its part, denied responsibility for the blast. A senior official with the group told local media that the explosion was likely caused by unexploded ordnance left over from earlier fighting, not a deliberate attack, and that they had informed ceasefire mediators about such hazards. Both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce in recent weeks, complicating efforts to move forward with broader peace terms.
The ceasefire deal — brokered by the United States and international partners — includes phased steps such as prisoner and hostage exchanges, the deployment of an international stabilization force, Hamas disarmament, and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. So far, only the initial phase of the agreement has been implemented, and progress toward subsequent stages has stalled.
Turkish officials have been involved in discussions with Hamas representatives in Ankara regarding the next phase of the ceasefire, emphasizing humanitarian needs and political reconciliation among Palestinian factions. These talks underscore the broader regional efforts to sustain the fragile peace and address persistent humanitarian challenges in Gaza.
The latest blast and ensuing accusations illustrate how quickly ceasefire accords can be strained and how delicate peace efforts remain just months after some of the fiercest fighting in recent years.
