Netanyahu orders ‘immediate and powerful strikes’ on Gaza

Hamas says it has halted the transfer of bodies of deceased hostages, citing ceasefire violations by Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered a new round of “immediate and powerful strikes” on Gaza. The announcement was made shortly after Israeli troops allegedly came under attack in the south of the Palestinian enclave. 

Right on the heels of Netanyahu’s order, Hamas said it would “postpone” the handover of the body of another deceased Israeli hostage “scheduled for today, due to violations by the occupation.” According to the Palestinian militant group, the body was recovered earlier in the day “during search operations in one of the tunnels south of the Gaza Strip.”

According to Israeli media reports, apart from the strikes, Netanyahu also ordered the IDF to expand its zone of control in Gaza. The PM is now reportedly discussing the move with senior US officials.

The incident that preceded the new flare-up reportedly occurred in the southern Gaza city of Rafah earlier in the day. Israeli troops stationed there came under small arms attack and returned fire, while some reports also indicated Israeli artillery was shelling in the area.

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Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in early October under Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Under the scheme, Hamas agreed to release all living Israeli hostages and return the remains of the deceased. The group was quick to free 20 captives and transfer 12 bodies, yet the process has somewhat stalled.  

The two sides have repeatedly traded accusations of violating the truce. A major flare-up occurred on October 19, when Israel accused the militant group of attacking its positions in the south of the enclave and launching “retaliatory” strikes that killed at least 44 people across Gaza.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza in response to the Hamas surprise attack in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage in October 2023.

The hostilities caused widespread destruction in the Palestinian enclave, with most of its roughly two million residents ending up internally displaced. According to local health authorities, at least 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 injured over the past two years.