Isreal: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that he had ordered the army to launch a major offensive in Gaza after Hamas delayed handing over the bodies of Israeli hostages. Following the order, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes on Gaza, while tanks also shelled several areas.
Netanyahu’s decision came amid rising tensions between the two sides. Earlier, Israel had fired on Hamas forces in southern Gaza, while Hamas refused to release the bodies of hostages.
The Israeli Prime Minister said Hamas had failed to implement the ceasefire agreement. The renewed hostilities follow two firing incidents reported since the ceasefire began on October 10.
Israeli troops were attacked in the southern city of Rafah, and on October 19, two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas fire. In retaliation, Israel launched strikes that killed more than 40 Palestinians, officials said.
