IDF remains on high alert, fearing last-minute Hamas attacks ahead of Gaza ceasefire

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the Israeli military to maintain a high level of readiness for potential last-minute Hamas attacks ahead of the expected Gaza ceasefire.

While welcoming the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday morning, the IDF is reportedly prepared for various scenarios, including Hamas rocket fire and attempted attacks on Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip. 

Some Israeli officials believe Hamas may attempt to “empty its stockpiles” of rockets, launching them at Israel in a show of force ahead of the ceasefire.

Zamir urged Israeli troops inside Gaza to remain vigilant and continue focusing on defensive positions.

On Thursday morning, the military announced that two soldiers were lightly wounded during the night after an IED exploded on their vehicle in northern Gaza. Later, IDF troops beat back two attempted attacks on its positions in the Gaza Strip within several hours, Army Radio reported.

In the first attack, three terrorists were killed as they attempted to breach a post held by the IDF's Harel Reserve Brigade in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The second attack saw a group of 4 to 5 terrorists approaching another position. After ignoring warning shots, a drone struck and killed the group. There were no Israeli casualties in the events.

The ceasefire will come into force after the Israeli government formally approves the deal, which is expected to happen on Thursday evening, local time.

Trump’s Gaza plan calls for the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas within 72 hours. The Israeli military is also expected to begin its withdrawal to a pre-agreed line within the first 24 hours of the ceasefire agreement. Once this initial withdrawal is implemented, the Israeli military will reportedly still control some 53% of Gaza’s total territory. 

“Force deployments will be carried out in accordance with the directives of the political echelon and the stages of the agreement, with responsibility and a focus on the safety of our soldiers,” the Israeli military said in an official statement. 

“The IDF will continue to act to achieve the objectives of the war and to defend the citizens of the State of Israel on all fronts,” the statement continued. 

Hamas has previously rejected ceasefire proposals on multiple occasions, consistently demanding a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent end to the war before releasing the remaining Israeli hostages.

However, Hamas has been severely degraded and has been under immense political pressure from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey to accept Trump’s Gaza deal plan.

Trump recently warned Hamas that the terror group must choose between surrender and death. Hamas is also expected to disarm under the Trump plan. It is, however, currently unclear how the disarmament of Hamas will be implemented in reality. 

Meanwhile, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Avichay Adraee, issued a warning to residents in northern Gaza that the area remains a dangerous, active combat zone until the ceasefire is in place. 

“IDF forces continue to encircle Gaza City, and returning to the area is extremely dangerous,” Adraee warned. “Avoid heading north or approaching areas where IDF forces are deployed until official instructions are announced,” the IDF official urged. 

The families of the remaining Israeli hostages welcomed Trump’s Gaza ceasefire announcement, which is expected to free their loved ones in the coming days.

However, the Jewish state has, in return, been forced to release 1,950 terrorists in Israeli jails, including 250 individuals who serve life sentences for murdering large numbers of Israelis.

In addition, Hamas has also demanded the release of 1,700 Palestinian terrorists, including Hamas’ Nukba elite operatives who were detained by Israel after they participated in the Oct. 7 atrocities against Israeli civilians.

There are growing speculations that Trump could potentially win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to secure peace in the Middle East and other parts of the world. 

"There is no doubt he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for that," Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote on 𝕏.