Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that he has ordered the army to carry out immediate and powerful strikes on Gaza, signaling a new test for the U.S.-mediated ceasefire.
The announcement came after Israel reported that Hamas had opened fire on Israeli forces in southern Gaza.
Tensions escalated following the partial return of remains by Hamas, which Israel claims belonged to an Israeli captive whose body had previously been recovered during the conflict.
The ceasefire in Gaza, brokered under a 20-point plan by U.S. President Donald Trump, took effect on October 10.
- On October 19, both Israel and Hamas broke the ceasefire when Israel struck southern Gaza, alleging that the Palestinian militant group attacked its forces, though Hamas denied involvement.
- The ceasefire was reinstated the next day, on October 20.
Several top U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visited Israel last week in efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire.
