IDF troops on Tuesday eliminated a Hamas sniper who violated the ceasefire and posed an immediate threat to troops.
"A short while ago, IDF troops identified a sniper from the Hamas terrorist organization who posed an immediate threat near the Yellow Line area, where IDF troops are operating in the northern Gaza Strip," the IDF confirmed.
"Shortly after the identification, IDF troops fired toward the terrorist in order to remove the threat. A hit was identified.
"IDF troops under the Southern Command remain deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat."
Hamas' violation of the ceasefire follows reports that the IDF is already implementing a 15-point plan to reconstruct Gaza, despite the terror group's failure to disarm.
Earlier on Tuesday, Channel 12 News reported that the proposed multinational force is not expected to begin deploying in Gaza before October, with a real possibility that its arrival will be delayed until after Israel's elections.
On Monday, senior officials in Gaza's "Board of Peace" told Ynet that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration rejecting the 15-point Gaza plan is in contradiction to the facts on the ground.
"We look at actions in practice, and less at words and declarations," the sources told Ynet. "In practice, Israel has halted targeted killings and is observing the ceasefire."
According to the officials, "In essence, Israel is keeping the 15-point agreement. The IDF is positioned along the original Yellow Line, controlling 53% of the Gaza Strip, and there are no outposts or forces beyond the yellow line. Israel is implementing the 15-point document even while verbally rejecting it. Of course, it would have been better for Israel if its declarations matched its actions, because it would have benefited diplomatically from complying with the agreement."
On Saturday night, Channel 12 News reported that Israel's defense establishment recently held discussions examining the possibility of withdrawing IDF forces from several locations in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, the exiting IDF forces would be replaced with a multinational force, despite Hamas remaining far from disarming.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly stated that the IDF will not withdraw from the "Yellow Line" until Hamas disarms. However, according to the report, security officials are already preparing contingency plans should a withdrawal be approved.
Channel 12 noted that the exact definition of "disarmament" has yet to be clarified, but the US is increasing pressure on Israel to withdraw from Gaza.
A senior security source told Channel 12, "The number of troops [in the multi-national force] is simply not enough. It's only a handful of soldiers, and they're trying to build towers on the basis of that force. It's very worrying. The Americans aren't leaving us with many alternatives - but they're creating a problem for us in Gaza."
The report also noted that defense officials greatly doubt that such a limited force could play a meaningful role in Gaza, particularly if it is expected to replace IDF troops in areas from which Israel withdraws.