Netanyahu Orders Strikes as Tensions Escalate Over Gaza Hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commanded the military to execute significant strikes on the Gaza Strip following accusations against Hamas of violating a US-brokered ceasefire. This escalation comes just minutes after Hamas announced it would delay the transfer of another hostage’s remains as part of the truce agreement, citing what it termed Israeli violations.

Netanyahu’s office released a statement declaring, “Following security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the military to immediately carry out powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” though it provided no further details. The tension heightened when Hamas declared it would postpone the handover of a body, previously scheduled, due to the situation on the ground, claiming that Israeli actions hindered their ability to search for and recover bodies.

In footage obtained from AFP, armed Hamas fighters were seen emerging from a tunnel with a body wrapped in plastic, believed to be that of a hostage they intended to release. The scene drew a crowd of onlookers, including children, some recording the moment on their mobile phones.

Earlier, Hamas had returned what it claimed was the 16th of 28 bodies agreed upon under the ceasefire, which commenced on October 10, 2023. However, Israeli forensic examination revealed that the remains handed over were actually those of Ofir Tzarfati, a hostage previously returned to Israel nearly two years ago. Netanyahu’s office characterized this as a clear breach of the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian accused Hamas of orchestrating a deceptive handover, asserting, “I can confirm to you today that Hamas dug a hole in the ground yesterday, placed the partial remains of Ofir inside of it, covered it back up with dirt, and handed it over to the Red Cross.” In light of these developments, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the Israeli government to respond decisively to these violations and called for action, emphasizing that Hamas likely knows the locations of the remaining hostages.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem, in response, dismissed claims that the group had knowledge of the remaining bodies, arguing the destruction from Israeli bombardment had rendered many locations unrecognizable. “The movement is determined to hand over the bodies of the Israeli captives as soon as possible once they are located,” he stated.

The conflict has taken a devastating toll on both sides. Since the ceasefire began, the health ministry in Gaza reported that at least 94 people had died due to Israeli fire. The ongoing violence has left many in the region apprehensive about the possibility of renewed hostilities. One resident, Abdul-Hayy al-Hajj Ahmed, expressed his fears, stating, “Now they accuse Hamas of stalling, and that is a pretext for renewed escalation and war. We want to rest. I believe the war will come back.”

Israeli officials have also voiced their frustrations. Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, accused Hamas of delaying the release of the remaining bodies and expressed a desire for a more aggressive response, stating it is “time to break its legs once and for all.”

The backdrop of this conflict is the significant loss of life on both sides. During Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, militants took 251 hostages, with many subsequently released, rescued, or recovered before the ceasefire. The assault resulted in the deaths of 1,221 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians. On the Palestinian side, Israel’s military operations have reportedly resulted in over 68,531 fatalities, according to the health ministry in Gaza, which is under Hamas’s control.

The situation remains dire, with the humanitarian toll continuing to rise. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum revealed that this marks the third time remains belonging to Ofir Tzarfati have been returned, further complicating the grief experienced by his family. They lamented, “This is the third time we have been forced to open Ofir’s grave and rebury our son. The circle supposedly ‘closed’ back in December 2023, but it never truly closes.”

As military operations intensify and accusations fly, the prospect for peace remains bleak, with both sides entrenched in a cycle of violence and retaliation. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can stabilize the region and address the humanitarian crisis that has ensued.