A political source told Channel 12 that Israel will continue its operations in Gaza despite a 26-hour lull in strikes, attributing the pause to rising tensions with the US administration. The source insisted that Israel's freedom of action remains intact and that strikes will continue as long as Hamas does not disarm, with an Israeli official adding that even a confrontation with the US government is possible.
The 26-hour lull in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, first reported by Channel 12 on Monday evening, was attributed to heightened tensions between Jerusalem and Washington. In a new report at 21:10, Channel 12's Almog Boker quoted a political source who insisted Israel's freedom of action is preserved and that operations will continue until Hamas disarms. The source warned that even a confrontation with the US administration is possible, stating: 'We will not move a millimeter from the red line.'
The lull follows a sequence of events that began Sunday evening, when an Israeli strike in Gaza City eliminated senior Hamas military wing commander Nafedh Sabih (Abu Jalal), as reported by Gazan sources and later confirmed by Israeli security sources. Sabih served as head of the military supervision and inspection body of Hamas's military wing. After the strike, a 14-hour lull in strikes was reported by Abu Ali Express by Monday morning, which later extended to 24 hours, with analyst speculation about a possible secret agreement. By Monday evening, Channel 12 reported that the lull had reached 26 hours and attributed it to US pressure.
The tensions between Israel and the US come amid a broader diplomatic context. As The Zioneer reported, Israel has previously objected to US demands to halt fighting in Lebanon as part of understandings with Iran, stressing that freedom of action is non-negotiable. The current pause in Gaza strikes appears to be the most direct manifestation of that friction.
It remains unclear whether the pause represents a temporary operational window or a policy shift under US pressure. The IDF has not officially confirmed the lull, and the political source's warning of a possible confrontation suggests the situation remains fluid. The duration of the pause and the exact nature of US demands have not been publicly detailed.
10 developments
- StrongIsraeli source rejects speculation of halt in Gaza strikes
- DevelopingIsrael will not withdraw from current Gaza line, political source says, rejecting demand to halt international force
- StrongGaza quiet since Monday morning, no strikes recorded
- StrongYishai Spaz: Halt to Gaza strikes gives Hamas 'wind in its sails', emboldens terror group
Source and signal
- Open-source intake