Israel’s Prime Minister issued an order for “immediate and powerful strikes” in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, following a statement from an Israeli military official indicating Hamas had breached the ceasefire agreement.
According to the official, the militant organization targeted Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel in Rafah.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed on Tuesday, stating, “After security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed the military command to execute immediate and forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip.”
In response, Hamas announced it would postpone the transfer of a hostage’s remains, as reported by The Associated Press.
This incident on Tuesday follows an earlier event this month where two IDF soldiers were killed by militant operatives in Rafah, a fact previously corroborated by Israeli military sources to Digital on October 19. The deceased soldiers were identified as Major Yaniv Kula, 26, a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, a combat soldier from the same battalion, both stationed in Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut.
An initial IDF inquiry into that prior event indicated that a militant group emerged from a tunnel and opened fire on an excavation vehicle, resulting in the deaths of the two soldiers. Additionally, a reserve soldier was injured and taken to a hospital, according to reports.
Following that attack, the IDF initiated air and ground operations throughout southern Gaza.
In a statement, the IDF declared, “The IDF also targeted and dismantled six kilometers of subterranean militant infrastructure, employing more than 120 munitions. This underground facility was utilized by the militant group to plan attacks against the State of Israel.”
Specific details regarding the latest incident were not immediately disclosed.
A ceasefire, mediated by the U.S. and implemented on October 10, had temporarily paused the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The agreement stipulated the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside the declaration of a truce.
Emma Bussey of Digital contributed to this article.