US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday that Washington does not consider the strike that Israel said targeted a member of a Palestinian armed group in the Gaza Strip a violation of the US-backed ceasefire.

Israel said on Saturday it targeted a member of the Islamic Jihad movement, claiming he was planning to attack Israeli forces.

The Islamic Jihad movement issued a statement yesterday, Sunday, saying,"The occupation army's claim that cadres from the Al-Quds Brigades in Nuseirat were preparing yesterday for an imminent attack is a complete lie and slander, through which the occupation seeks to justify its aggression and violation of the ceasefire."

Speaking aboard US President Donald Trump's plane during a trip to Asia, Rubio said,"We do not consider this a violation of the ceasefire," according to Al-Hadath TV.

Rubio added that Israel did not waive its right to self-defense under the agreement brokered by Washington, Egypt, and Qatar, under which Hamas released the remaining living detainees in the Strip this month.

"They have the right to do so if there is an imminent threat to Israel, and all the mediators agree to that," he said. Rubio explained that the ceasefire in Gaza, which remains in effect between Israel and Hamas after a two-year war, is based on commitments from both sides.