Netanyahu Commands Israeli Army for Strong Strikes on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to initiate “powerful strikes” against Gaza. This directive comes amidst increasing tensions surrounding a fragile ceasefire mediated by the United States. Reports indicate that Hamas fired upon Israeli forces in southern Gaza, raising concerns about the ceasefire’s effectiveness.
Ceasefire Violation and Hostage Return
Netanyahu criticized the return of remains by Hamas, labeling it a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The agreement mandates the swift return of all Israeli hostage remains. As tensions escalated, Israeli troops were engaged in a firefight in Rafah, highlighting the delicate state of the current ceasefire.
Hostage Situation Overview
At present, 13 bodies of hostages remain unreturned in Gaza. Hamas initially indicated it would deliver a body on Tuesday night but subsequently rescinded that plan. An Associated Press videographer captured footage in Khan Younis of what seemed to be a body bag being handled by several men, possibly including militants.
Challenges of the Ceasefire
The slow pace of returning hostages’ bodies is complicating the next phases of the ceasefire discussions. These future topics include:
- Disarmament of Hamas
- Deployment of an international security force in Gaza
- Deciding the governance of the territory
Hamas claims it faces difficulties in locating the bodies amid substantial destruction in Gaza. Conversely, Israel accuses the militant group of intentionally delaying the return.
International Assistance and Past Incidents
In a bid to assist, Egypt recently sent a specialized team and heavy equipment to aid in locating the remaining hostages’ bodies. This operation is ongoing in areas such as Khan Younis and Nuseirat.
This situation also echoes past incidents. During the initial week of the ceasefire, one of the bodies Hamas returned was identified as that of an unidentified Palestinian. Additionally, during a previous ceasefire in February 2025, Hamas handed over the remains of Shiri Bibas and her two sons, only for tests to reveal one body was misidentified as a Palestinian woman.
