Israel has committed at least 47 violations of the ceasefire since it came into effect, killing at least 38 people.

Hamas has rejected the latest claims by the U.S. State Department over its alleged violations of the Gaza ceasefire and plans to re-launch attacks “against Palestinian civilians”, as Israel carries out renewed strikes on the besieged enclave.

“These false allegations fully align with Israeli misleading propaganda and provide cover for the occupation’s ongoing crimes and organised aggression against our people,” Hamas said in a Telegram statement on Sunday.

The U.S. State Department issued its statement on Saturday, alleging that there were “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza”.

The statement noted that the U.S. “informed the guarantor nations” of the Gaza deal about these reports.

“This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts,” the statement said.

The U.S. warned that “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire” if Hamas proceeds with the alleged attack.

Hamas, in its statement dismissing the allegations, said that “the facts on the ground reveal the exact opposite” and that Israeli authorities “are the ones who formed, armed and funded criminal gangs” in Gaza.

The Palestinian group said the gangs carried out murder, kidnappings, theft of aid trucks, and assaults against Palestinian civilians.

“The movement affirms that the police forces in Gaza, with broad popular and civil support, are carrying out their national duty by pursuing and holding these gangs accountable under clear legal mechanisms, in order to protect citizens,” Hamas added.

Hamas also called on the U.S. administration to stop echoing Israel’s “misleading narrative and to focus instead on curbing its repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, most notably [Israel] supporting these gangs and providing them safe havens within the areas under its control.”

Clashes between Hamas and armed militia erupted in Gaza days after the ceasefire deal came into force on October 10—brokered by Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt, and the U.S.

Israel has backed militia inside Gaza, including the notorious Popular Forces, which is led by Yasser Abu Shabab from the Tarabin Bedouin tribe. 

Militia members stole aid that entered the Gaza Strip over the past two years in order to resell it to the starving civilian population at exploited prices. 

Israel has also reportedly backed a group called Strike Force Against Terror, which is led by Hussam Al-Astal—accused by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority of collaborating with Israel in the 1990s.

Security forces in Gaza reportedly clashed with the Israel-backed groups in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza, on Sunday morning. Israel then attacked the area as a cover for the targeted groups, marking another violation of the ceasefire while accusing Hamas of doing so.

However, Hamas said it had “no knowledge of any events or clashes taking place in Rafah”, noting it is a red zone under Israel’s control.

Israel has also launched a series of airstrikes on northern Gaza on the same day, marking a major escalation and breach of the ceasefire.

Israel has committed at least 47 violations of the ceasefire since it came into effect on October 10, killing at least 38 people. The violations also include Israel’s refusal to reopen the vital Gaza-Egypt Rafah Crossing, obstructing the flow of humanitarian aid, and blocking the movement of people in and out of the besieged enclave.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed at least 68,159 people in Gaza, while rescue teams continue to recover the bodies of thousands of others trapped under the rubble.