Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking another reported breach of the ceasefire agreement. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the strikes aimed to protect members of the Yasser Abu Shabab militia, an Israeli-backed group accused of looting humanitarian aid and targeting Palestinian civilians during Israel’s prolonged conflict in Gaza. Palestinian media outlet Quds Network cited an unnamed source claiming that a Hamas-led security unit had targeted a hideout linked to Abu Shabab east of Rafah. Middle East Eye could not independently verify these reports. Yasser Abu Shabab, a convicted drug trafficker, has led an Israeli-armed militia in Gaza for over a year, operating under Israeli military protection in southern Rafah. An Israeli military official told Reuters that Hamas fighters had launched ‘multiple attacks’ against Israeli troops during the incident, labeling it a ‘blatant violation’ of the ceasefire. The attacks allegedly involved rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire beyond the ‘Yellow Line,’ a demarcation within Gaza where Israeli forces are stationed. Hamas did not immediately comment on the incident, but Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the group’s Political Bureau, reiterated Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire, accusing Israel of fabricating pretexts to justify its actions. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes were also reported in Jabalia, northern Gaza, with initial reports of casualties. Since the ceasefire began on October 11, Israeli forces have violated it approximately 50 times, including through artillery shelling, drone strikes, and tank fire, resulting in over 38 Palestinian deaths. Israel has also breached other ceasefire terms, such as restricting humanitarian aid and keeping the Rafah border crossing closed. Following the Rafah incident, Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich called for renewed military action, with Smotrich posting ‘War!’ on social media. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly assessing the situation to determine Israel’s next steps.