Israel fears that Hamas may violate the agreed halt in fighting, and fire on soldiers in areas of northern Gaza controlled by the IDF, says a senior Israeli official briefing reporters.
Were soldiers to come under fire, they would be permitted to return fire, says the official, but Israel will attempt not to initiate military action.
The senior official says that Hamas has weak control in northern Gaza and may not be able to exert authority over all terrorists in that area.
Therefore, Israel will carefully weigh how to respond to any violations of the pause in hostilities on a case-by-case basis, mindful of the ongoing imperative to ensure that the release of hostages proceeds. Soldiers will confront any direct threat, while making the effort not to take actions that could be interpreted as breaching the agreement.
Israel intends to use the pause in fighting to plan for the war’s next steps, including to ensure as many hostages as possible are brought home, the official says.
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