Netanyahu orders ‘immediate, powerful strikes’ on Gaza after Hamas allegedly attacks Israeli troops

Following consultations with his security advisers, Netanyahu authorized the renewed offensive, further escalating regional tensions and extinguishing hopes for a sustained peace. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered just 20 days ago, was based on a 20-point peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump on September 29, which Hamas accepted on October 9.

Dispute over return of bodies

Netanyahu also accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire terms by returning the wrong bodies of Israeli hostages. Under the agreement, Hamas was obligated to return all Israeli remains promptly. In response to the new Israeli strikes, Hamas has suspended its program to return more bodies, claiming the ongoing bombardment has made recovery efforts impossible.

On Tuesday, Hamas reportedly removed a white body bag from a site in Khan Younis, though the contents have not been confirmed. Thirteen Israeli hostages’ bodies are still believed to be in Gaza. Hamas says widespread destruction is hindering the search, while Israel accuses the group of deliberately delaying the process. Egypt has deployed experts and heavy machinery to assist in recovery efforts.

Israel may tighten restrictions on Gaza

Israeli media report that Netanyahu is weighing additional measures, including suspending humanitarian aid, expanding the ground offensive, or targeting Hamas leaders with airstrikes.

In a separate incident, Israeli forces raided Jenin in the West Bank on Tuesday, killing three Palestinians alleged to be militants. Hamas identified two of them as members of its Qassam Brigade. Palestinian groups and human rights organizations, however, claim innocent civilians have also been killed and thousands displaced in such operations.

Trump’s ceasefire plan and peace push

President Donald Trump had unveiled his 20-point peace plan on September 29 in Netanyahu’s presence, calling for Hamas’s complete disarmament and surrender as a key condition. He later signed the Gaza Peace Agreement in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, attended by leaders from over 20 nations—though Israel and Hamas were notably absent.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the two-year conflict has already claimed more than 68,500 Palestinian lives, with thousands more injured and displaced