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Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, expressed disappointment on Wednesday, stating that Hamas breached the Gaza ceasefire agreement by attacking Israeli soldiers on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one soldier.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, al-Thani described Tuesday’s incident as both “disappointing and frustrating.” He emphasized Qatar’s swift response in collaboration with the United States to address the situation, highlighting the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining the ceasefire agreement.
The Qatari leader clearly labeled the attack as a “violation by the Palestinian party,” although he stopped short of directly naming Hamas. He mentioned that Hamas suggested rogue elements or another militia group might have been responsible, but noted that conflicting statements from Hamas make verification difficult.
“Fortunately, it seems both main parties are recognizing the importance of upholding the ceasefire and adhering to the agreement,” he remarked.
Al-Thani did not accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire, despite Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes following the attack on its forces.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the assault took place in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza under Israeli control. It began with sniper fire from what the IDF described as “terrorists in the area,” which targeted an IDF combat engineering team working to dismantle a terrorist tunnel. The attack claimed the life of 37-year-old Master Sgt. Efi Feldbaum, a combat engineering reservist and father of five.
The sniper fire was followed by several anti-tank missiles, which targeted an armored vehicle used by other Israeli forces in the area.
The IDF responded with strikes against “dozens of terror targets and terrorists” in Gaza, including up to 30 commanders of armed militant groups. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry claimed the strikes killed 104 people, including 46 children and 20 women.
The IDF said on Wednesday morning it has “begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire.”
“The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,” the statement said.
President Donald Trump said the Israelis “hit back, and they should hit back when that happens.”
“They said they would be good, and if they’re good they’re going to be happy. And if they’re not good, they’re going to be terminated,” Trump said of Hamas.
