(Gaza/Jerusalem) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a strong military strike on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, citing Hamas's violation of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in over 100 deaths. US President Donald Trump said Israel had the right to retaliate against Hamas, but insisted nothing could jeopardize the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to launch a strong strike in Gaza after a government meeting on Tuesday (October 28). Netanyahu did not specify the reasons for the airstrikes, but an Israeli military officer revealed that Hamas attacked Israeli forces in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza, violating the ceasefire agreement.
The IDF confirmed on Wednesday (October 29) that its forces stationed in Rafah, southern Gaza, were attacked on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the death of one soldier.
Hamas denied any involvement in the attack on Israeli forces in Rafah in a statement and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. The statement accused the Israeli military of a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement and called on mediators to pressure Israel to stop this dangerous behavior.
The Gaza Health Ministry said that 104 people, including 46 children, have died in Israeli airstrikes since Tuesday. The Gaza Civil Defense said the airstrikes targeted refugee tents, homes, and hospitals. The Israeli military, however, said it had struck dozens of "terrorist targets and terrorists."
Further Reading
In response to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza during the ceasefire, US President Trump said on Wednesday, "They (Hamas) killed an Israeli soldier. So Israel retaliated, and should retaliate."
Trump insisted that the ceasefire agreement was not threatened. "Hamas is only a very small part of the Middle East peace process, and they have to play by the rules… If they behave well, they will be happy; if they behave badly, they will be eliminated."
US Vice President Vance also said on Tuesday that the ceasefire was continuing despite small-scale clashes between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it had resumed enforcement of the ceasefire agreement and stated that it would continue to respond firmly to any violations of the agreement.
Hamas Accused of Using Hostage Remains for "Showboating"
In addition to attacking Israeli forces, Hamas has also been accused of using hostage remains for "showboating." Hamas returned some remains of a hostage on Monday, claiming it was the 16th body handed over under the ceasefire agreement. However, examination results showed that the remains belonged to a hostage whose remains had been returned to Israel two years ago.
An Israeli government spokesman said on Tuesday, "Hamas dug a hole in the ground yesterday, put the remains inside, covered them with soil, and then handed them over to the Red Cross." The Red Cross also unusually condemned Hamas's act of faking the discovery of remains as "unacceptable."
Hamas had originally planned to hand over one hostage's body on Tuesday evening, but postponed the plan after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Hamas also announced that day that it had found the bodies of two other hostages.
The Times of Israel analysis points out that Hamas's killing of Israeli soldiers and handling of hostage remains during the ceasefire has put increasing pressure on Netanyahu. However, given that maintaining the ceasefire is beneficial to Israel, and the US's determination to uphold this diplomatic victory, Israel's reaction is expected to be relatively restrained.
However, this restraint could backfire, because "as long as Hamas believes it will not be eliminated, it will continue to test Israel's patience and Trump's resolve."
