Tel Aviv, Oct 19, (dpa/GNA) – The Islamist terrorist organization Hamas, on Sunday rejected accusations from the United States that it is planning an attack on Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
These are “baseless claims” aligned with Israeli propaganda, Hamas said in a statement.
The US State Department on Saturday had warned that Hamas is planning an “imminent” attack on Palestinian civilians. It informed the guarantor powers of the Gaza peace plan about “credible reports” indicating a violation of the existing ceasefire, the department announced.
Following the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from nearly half of the coastal strip, there were reports of executions of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
In its statement, Hamas accused Israel of supporting “criminal gangs” in Gaza that have committed murders, kidnappings, theft of aid shipments, and attacks on Palestinian civilians.
Recently, there have been multiple reports of violent clashes between Hamas and rival clans in the Gaza Strip that oppose Hamas’ rule.
Israel says it is watching with concern as Hamas attempts to reassert its control over the area. Hamas has refused to lay down its arms as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
GNA