The fragile ceasefire in Gaza was tested again on Monday, as the Israeli military accused Hamas of violating the truce agreement. According to the Israeli army, Hamas activists crossed the yellow line and advanced towards forces in southern Gaza, posing a direct threat to them.
The yellow line indicates the exact location to which IDF forces withdrew as part of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10.
“Terrorists crossed the yellow line”
The Israeli army said in a statement: “After identifying them, and in order to remove the threat to the forces, the Israeli army struck the terrorists.”
❌ Violation of the ceasefire: Terrorists crossed the yellow line and advanced towards IDF forces in southern Gaza, posing a direct threat to them.
After identifying the terrorists, and in order to remove the threat facing the forces, the Israeli army struck the terrorists.
The Israeli army soldiers remain…
– Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 3, 2025
The Israeli army said it killed several terrorist activists who crossed the yellow line, adding that “its soldiers are still deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to work to remove any immediate threat.”
Ceasefire violations since October 10
Since the ceasefire agreement entered into force on October 10, ending more than two years of war, Israel and Hamas have accused the other side of violating the terms of the agreement.
Red Cross vehicles carrying the bodies of two people believed to be dead hostages handed over by Hamas head toward the Kissufim border crossing with Israel, to be transferred to the Israeli authorities, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, October 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Last week witnessed the largest escalation in tensions between the two sides since the ceasefire agreement, when Israel killed 104 Palestinians in Gaza. Israel was responding to the killing of an IDF reservist soldier by alleged Hamas activists in Rafah near the Yellow Line.
Despite the clashes, both sides insisted on their commitment to respect the ceasefire agreement.
Israel needs a big army: Netanyahu
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that his country needs a large army.
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“We need a large, strong and smart army as well,” Netanyahu said during a conference with senior reserve officers.
Netanyahu also said that two years of war changed the Middle East and Israel.
“We not only changed the Middle East, we changed ourselves,” Netanyahu said. “There is no longer containment. There is ongoing initiative and proactiveness.”
(tags for translation)Gaza ceasefire
