Benjamin Netanyahu orders ‘forceful strikes’ in Gaza after ceasefire breach allegations

The escalation came after Israel claimed Hamas fired on its troops in southern Gaza and returned the remains of a hostage already recovered two years ago, sparking outrage in Jerusalem.

According to the Associated Press, Israeli soldiers came under fire in Rafah on Tuesday, prompting a retaliatory response.

Shortly afterward, Netanyahu instructed the military to launch targeted strikes inside Gaza.

“Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement -Israel will respond forcefully,” a senior Israeli official told the media.

Hamas delays hostage body handover

Minutes after Israel announced the strikes, Hamas’ Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said it would postpone the handover of another hostage’s body that had been scheduled for Tuesday evening.

“We will postpone the handover that was scheduled for today due to the occupation’s violations,” the group said in a statement to the media.

Tensions escalated further after Israel said the remains handed over on Monday by Hamas were those of Ofir Tzarfati, a hostage already returned in 2023.

Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian accused Hamas of “staging” the discovery.

“Hamas dug a hole, placed partial remains of Ofir inside, and handed it to the Red Cross,” Bedrosian told reporters.

In a statement released by the Israeli Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Tzarfati’s relatives said, “This is the third time we have been forced to open Ofir’s grave and rebury our son.”

While Israel vowed to “respond decisively,” international observers warned that the renewed hostilities could jeopardize the already fragile truce and further delay the return of the remaining 12 hostage bodies still unaccounted for under the ceasefire deal.