The Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday that forces had killed at least two armed suspects in western Rafah, located on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line in the southern Gaza Strip.

The clash started after soldiers identified six armed individuals close to troops deployed in the area.

According to the military, tanks deployed to the scene and opened fire, prompting the gunmen to return fire at one of the tanks, and triggering a firefight that also included airstrikes in the area.

So far, two of the suspects have been killed, the IDF said, adding that forces are continuing to search the area for the remaining gunmen and that the incident is still ongoing.

The military said the incident constitutes a blatant violation of the October ceasefire agreement.

Since October 10, a fragile US-sponsored truce in Gaza has largely halted the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, but both sides have alleged frequent ceasefire violations.

Three IDF soldiers have been killed during the same period.

The........

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