The Israeli military on Tuesday confirmed that there was no ceasefire in the Gaza Strip yet and the Rafah Crossing Point between the Hamas-controlled enclave and Egypt remains closed.<\/p>\n
Addressing a regular briefing, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said that although Israel is concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the military bombing was \u201cintelligence-led\u201d, reports CNN.<\/p>\n
As of Tuesday, nearly 3,000 people have been killed in the Israeli airstrikes launched in retaliation to the October 7 Hamas attack.<\/p>\n
Hecht also condemned the release of a video showing one of the hostages held by Hamas as “psychological warfare”, adding that “this is ISIS’ playbook”.<\/p>\n
The IDF official accused Hamas of stealing fuel and food from the UN relief agency in Gaza.<\/p>\n
On tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, Hecht said there had been further incoming fire on Tuesday across the border from the neighbouring country, CNN reported.<\/p>\n
An anti-tank missile had been fired, causing some injuries, and Israeli forces were returning fire.<\/p>\n
“Our rules of engagement on the border are very clear right now: Anyone who comes near the fence will be shot,” Hecht said of the northern border.<\/p>\n
He warned that Lebanon needed to ask itself: \u201cDo they want to risk their future for Hamas? People in Lebanon have to be asking themselves that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if Israel was able to wage war on two fronts, Hecht said: “Of course we can. But the level of violence would be very, very bad. But of course we can.”<\/p>\n