An Israeli official said Wednesday that Tel Aviv had received a “green light” from the United States to continue assassination operations in the Gaza Strip, provided civilians are not harmed, as Israeli strikes continue despite the ceasefire in effect since October 2025.
US understanding on assassination operations
The official said Israeli forces could continue the operations under an understanding with Washington on protecting civilians. This echoes remarks attributed to Israeli security sources in August saying the US administration had approved continuing the policy. An Israeli security official said then that the army would continue targeting people Israel considers a direct threat to its forces.
Security sources also said Tel Aviv does not expect Hamas to give up its weapons, and that the army will continue what it calls “thwarting threats” and will neither withdraw from the “yellow line” nor begin rebuilding the Strip before the group is disarmed. The US-mediated ceasefire took effect in October 2025 and ended large-scale fighting, but did not completely halt repeated strikes.
Accusations traded after ceasefire
Since then, Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violating the agreement. Israel says its operations target militants who pose a danger to its forces or took part in attacks against it. Hamas, meanwhile, accused Washington of providing political cover for the Israeli strikes.
Hamas official Bassem Naim said after raids that killed people in early September that the attacks, in his words, would not have occurred without “US cover or a green light from Washington.” Discussion of continuing assassinations comes amid renewed international concerns about civilian casualties resulting from the war.
Türk said remains found at some sites appeared to belong to entire families, including women and children.
He pointed to concerns previously raised in a 2024 UN report that some strikes on residential buildings and civilian sites may have violated international humanitarian law.
