The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, reaffirmed their full commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Sunday, stressing that the group has had no role or presence in recent incidents reported in Rafah.

The statement comes amid ongoing Israeli violations that continue to claim civilian lives despite an internationally brokered truce.

In an official statement, Al-Qassam declared: “We affirm our complete commitment to implementing everything that has been agreed upon, foremost among them the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip.” The group categorically denied any connection to the recent clashes in Rafah, noting that the area is under full Israeli occupation and surveillance. “Rafah and the surrounding zones are red areas that fall under the control of the occupation,” the statement emphasized.

Al-Qassam explained that communication with its remaining units in Rafah was completely severed months ago, when the Israeli army resumed large-scale military operations in March 2025. “Contact has been cut off with the remaining groups we have there since the resumption of the war in March of this year, and we have no information as to whether they were martyred or are still alive since that time,” the Brigades said.

The group clarified that it cannot be held responsible for any developments in those areas, as it has no operational contact with its fighters there. “Therefore, we have no relation to any events taking place in those areas, and we cannot communicate with any of our fighters there, if any of them are still alive,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported on Sunday that two Israeli soldiers were killed and two others wounded in what occupation authorities described as a “security incident” in Rafah, southern Gaza. According to Israeli reports, the deaths resulted from a sniper attack and an explosive device targeting Israeli troops stationed in the city. In retaliation, the Israeli army launched a new wave of artillery shelling and airstrikes on Rafah, hitting multiple residential and agricultural areas.

Palestinian civil defense sources confirmed that several homes and civilian structures were destroyed in the strikes, adding that rescue teams struggled to reach the wounded due to ongoing Israeli bombardments and road blockages. Local witnesses said the attacks triggered widespread panic among displaced families sheltering in Rafah’s southern zones.

Government authorities in Gaza accused Israel of systematically violating the ceasefire agreement, stating that occupation forces have committed at least 47 violations since the truce took effect earlier this week. “Since the announcement of the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation force has committed a series of violations, the number of which to date has reached 47,” the authorities said in an official statement.

According to the latest figures released by Gaza’s Government Media Office, 38 Palestinians have been killed and 143 others injured in Israeli attacks carried out after the ceasefire was declared. “Due to the ongoing violations by the Israeli occupation, dozens of innocent civilians — including women and children — have lost their lives, and hundreds more have been wounded,” the statement added.

The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Türkiye, and Egypt with support from the United States, was intended to bring a complete halt to hostilities and allow for the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, Palestinian officials say Israel continues to obstruct relief convoys and maintain its blockade, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe across the Strip.

Human rights groups have condemned Israel’s repeated breaches of the truce, warning that the continued bombardment undermines all efforts to achieve stability and deliver life-saving assistance to Gaza’s population. Observers note that the Israeli occupation’s aggressive posture stands in stark contrast to the steadfast adherence of the Palestinian resistance, which has repeatedly expressed its commitment to honoring the ceasefire and protecting the lives of civilians.

Analysts say the ongoing Israeli attacks reveal a deliberate attempt to sabotage peace efforts and pressure resistance factions while masking the occupation’s failure to achieve its stated military objectives. Despite the devastating toll of the war — which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions — Palestinian resilience and unity remain unbroken. (ILKHA)