The Israeli army accuses the Islamist group "Hamas" of "grossly violating" the ceasefire agreement in Gaza by carrying out several direct attacks on Israeli troops, a senior Israeli military official said today, quoted by DPA, BTA reported.
The incidents occurred beyond the agreed buffer zone, known as the "yellow line", which marks the line of withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza. The Israeli army withdrew to this line on October 10, when the current ceasefire agreement came into force.
The Israeli troops were attacked with a grenade launcher, the military official said. In addition, a Palestinian sniper fired at Israeli positions.
"Both incidents occurred in an Israeli-controlled area east of the "yellow line", the representative said, adding: "This constitutes a gross violation of the ceasefire".
Israeli media earlier reported that "Hamas" had attacked Israeli troops in the southern Gaza Strip. According to media reports, the Israeli air force had struck targets in Rafah.
"Hamas" spokesman Izzat al-Rishek, quoted by Reuters, in turn said that the group was adhering to the terms of the agreement.