Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that Hamas had first violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli troops stationed in Gaza, prompting these retaliatory strikes. However, Hamas rejected the accusation, asserting that it remains committed to the truce.
The airstrikes targeted densely populated areas, including Gaza City, Khan Younis, Beit Lahia, and Al-Bureij. Hospitals in Gaza reported that several women and children were among the dead. In Gaza City’s Sabra area, three women and another person were killed when a residential house was bombed, while five others, including two children, died in a vehicle strike in Khan Younis.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was agreed upon 20 days ago after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan on September 29 in the presence of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas formally accepted the plan on October 9.
“Hamas Has Crossed the Red Line”: Israel
Defense Minister Katz alleged that Hamas not only attacked Israeli soldiers but also breached the agreement to return the bodies of deceased hostages. “Hamas has crossed the red line and will pay a heavy price,” Katz warned. Following his remarks, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the military to initiate action against Hamas.
In response, Hamas denied carrying out any attacks and accused Israel of targeting civilians in an attempt to sabotage the ceasefire.
Dispute Over Return of Hostages’ Bodies
Netanyahu also alleged that Hamas had returned the wrong body under the ceasefire terms, calling it a blatant violation. Hamas was obligated to return all Israeli hostages’ bodies immediately, but the process has now been halted following Israel’s latest assault.
On Tuesday, Hamas claimed it would hand over another body, with footage showing a white bag being retrieved from a pit in Khan Younis and placed into an ambulance—though its contents remain unclear. Thirteen Israeli hostages’ bodies are still believed to be in Gaza. Hamas says the widespread destruction has hampered recovery efforts, while Israel accuses Hamas of deliberate delays. Egypt has dispatched rescue experts and heavy equipment to assist in the search.
Israel Weighs Halting Aid to Gaza
According to Israeli media, Netanyahu is considering additional measures, including suspending humanitarian aid to Gaza, expanding occupation zones, and launching further airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces conducted a raid in the West Bank’s Jenin area on Tuesday morning, killing three Palestinian fighters alleged to be involved in terrorist operations. Hamas confirmed two of them were members of its Qassam Brigades and identified the third as an associate.
Israel maintains that its campaign targets terrorism, while Palestinians and human rights groups accuse it of killing civilians and displacing thousands.
Trump’s Ceasefire Agreement in Egypt
On September 29, U.S. President Donald Trump presented a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, with Hamas’s disarmament as its key condition. He later signed the Gaza Peace Agreement in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13. Over 20 world leaders attended, though neither Israel nor Hamas participated.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 68,500 Palestinians have died over the past two years of conflict.
