The Israel Defense Forces opened fire on Monday on a motorboat after warning shots toward the vessel didn’t turn it back, the military stated.
“The IDF targeted a suspicious motorboat identified off the coast of northern Khan Yunis, which violated security restrictions in the area and posed a threat,” the IDF stated. “Before the strike, warning shots were fired to drive suspects away from the area.”
The IDF also identified two suspects, who approached soldiers in the southern Gaza Strip and posed “an immediate threat,” Israel said. “The forces fired at the suspects to neutralize the threat, and hits were identified.”
Israel said that it will “continue to act to eliminate any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF forces.”
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza officially expired on Sunday, after the terrorist organization rejected Jerusalem’s offer to extend Phase 1 of the truce.
Israel announced on Sunday morning that it was suspending all humanitarian aid into the Strip, with full U.S. backing.
“Israel has negotiated in good faith since the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists,” Brian Hughes, a U.S. National Security Council spokesman, told Axios on Sunday. “We will support their decision on next steps given Hamas has indicated it’s no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire.”
The European Union condemned Hamas’s refusal to extend the truce but also warned of the humanitarian impact of Israel’s decision to stop aid shipments.
Israel accepted the U.S. proposal for a 50-day extension of the truce over the Ramadan and Passover holidays. Under the proposal, half of the remaining hostages (living and deceased) are to be freed on the first day. The rest will be released if a “permanent” ceasefire is agreed upon.
Israeli assessments indicate that Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza are holding 59 hostages. Of these, 24 are believed to be alive—all men—while 35, including three women, are believed to be deceased. Two of the living hostages and three of the deceased are foreign nationals.
