JERUSALEM, 25 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Wednesday of flagrantly violating the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire after an explosive device detonated against an Israeli military vehicle in southern Rafah, lightly injuring a Golani Brigade officer, prompting vows of an Israeli response to enforce the fragile truce.

Explosive Device Targets IDF Patrol

The incident unfolded during operational activity to dismantle terrorist infrastructure east of Rafah's yellow line in the Janina neighborhood, where the officer—traveling in a Namer armored personnel carrier—was wounded when the device exploded beneath the vehicle around midday.

The military evacuated him to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva for treatment, notifying his family, while investigators probe whether the improvised explosive device was newly planted or residual ordnance from prior fighting.

Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi denied involvement via X, attributing the blast to unexploded Israeli bombs and claiming notification to mediators, amid mutual recriminations since the October 10 truce took effect.

Netanyahu's office issued a statement—first in English—insisting Hamas fully implement the October agreement, which mandates the group's removal from power, demilitarization, and deradicalization of Gaza, declaring their public refusal to disarm a flagrant violation confirmed by the Rafah incident.

The plan, unveiled by President Donald Trump in September as a 20-point roadmap, envisions immediate hostilities cessation upon acceptance, hostage releases within 72 hours for Palestinian prisoners, Israeli withdrawal to designated lines, halted airstrikes, technocratic governance excluding Hamas, and international oversight for arms buybacks and economic revival.

Hamas conditions disarmament on Palestinian statehood establishment, stalling Phase Two amid over 400 Palestinian deaths per Gaza's health ministry since the truce.

Violence has persisted at subdued levels post-October 10, with both sides trading breach accusations; Netanyahu, speaking at an Air Force pilots' graduation, reiterated zero tolerance for IDF harm.

Israeli forces maintain operations in Rafah under truce terms, but the blast underscores insurgents' lingering capabilities in ruins from two years of war that killed over 66,000 Palestinians.

No immediate military action followed the announcement, though Jerusalem signaled resolve to uphold the deal amid stalled hostage negotiations and aid flows.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar