Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defense Forces to initiate “powerful strikes” in Gaza on Tuesday. This directive follows a surge in tensions after a US-brokered ceasefire, with reports of Hamas firing on Israeli troops in southern Gaza.
Following Netanyahu’s order, Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near Shifa Hospital, the largest operational medical facility in northern Gaza. Eyewitness accounts and reports from Hamas media indicate that at least two people were killed and four others wounded in these strikes. Additional airstrikes in southern Gaza resulted in five more fatalities, as confirmed by the enclave’s civil defense agency.
Earlier today, Israeli soldiers in Rafah reportedly came under fire and retaliated, according to an anonymous military official. No formal statement has been issued on this incident. In a related development, Hamas returned parts of a body it claimed belonged to a hostage, which Israel maintains was linked to a recovery operation carried out two years prior.
Netanyahu condemned this return as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement, which stipulated that Hamas must return the remains of all deceased hostages promptly. Reports suggest that 13 hostages from Gaza have yet to be returned. Although Hamas had announced the recovery of another hostage’s remains, they indicated a delay in the transfer following Israel’s renewed attacks.
The ceasefire, effective from October 10, had generally held despite previous escalations. Following claims that two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas gunfire on October 19, Israel conducted retaliatory strikes resulting in the deaths of 40 Palestinians, according to health officials. Over the weekend, further strikes targeted what Israel identified as Islamic Jihad militants planning an attack.
The ongoing delays in the return of Gaza hostages have stalled progress on subsequent phases of the ceasefire, which includes sensitive issues like disarming Hamas and establishing an international security presence in Gaza. The outcomes of these negotiations are crucial for determining the future governance of the region.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/netanyahu-orders-israel-army-to-carry-out-immediate-powerful-strikes-on-gaza-101761670320307.html
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Publish Date: 2025-10-29 00:16:00
