Israel has suspended targeted assassination operations in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours following pressure from Washington, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Monday.
The pause comes after several days of intensified Israeli strikes. Between Thursday and Sunday, the Israeli military carried out 22 attacks and retaliatory operations in Gaza, killing at least 26 people, including four children.
The Israeli army has published the names of several Hamas members it said were killed in the attacks and is expected to release the identities of others in the coming days.
According to Maariv, the United States expressed anger over the surge in targeted killings as Israel, Hamas and Washington moved towards the second phase of a ceasefire agreement.
The reported progress followed Hamas’ announcement that it was prepared to hand over its weapons as part of the next stage of the deal.
Washington reportedly demanded that Israel provide an explanation for the recent wave of assassinations and immediately halt further targeted killings.
The newspaper said Israel’s decision to comply represented a significant shift on an issue it had previously refused to negotiate. Israeli officials had insisted on retaining the right to target Hamas members accused of planning attacks against Israeli forces or participating in the October 7, 2023 assault.
However, an Israeli political source told Maariv that the government had not abandoned its broader security policy in Gaza.
“Israel will not retreat from its current position in the Gaza Strip and will continue to prevent any threat to Israeli civilians and soldiers,” the source said.
Since receiving the US request, Israel has reportedly refrained from striking Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza, marking the first such pause in several weeks.