Netanyahu Orders ‘Forceful Strikes’ In Gaza, Accusing Hamas Of Breaching Ceasefire

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered the military to carry out &ldquo;forceful strikes&rdquo; in the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of violating the ongoing ceasefire agreement.</p>
<p>The escalation comes amid renewed tension following reports that Hamas fired on Israeli forces in southern Gaza and allegedly returned remains that Israel said belonged to a hostage whose body had already been recovered earlier.</p>
<h2>Escalation Follows Ceasefire Strain</h2>
<p>Minutes after Netanyahu&rsquo;s order, Hamas announced it would postpone the handover of another hostage&rsquo;s body that was scheduled for Tuesday evening.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We will postpone the handover that was scheduled for today due to the occupation&rsquo;s violations,&rdquo; the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas&rsquo;s armed wing, said in a statement. The group warned that any Israeli &ldquo;escalation will hinder the search, excavation, and recovery of the bodies.&rdquo;</p>
<p>According to the Associated Press, Israeli troops came under fire in Rafah, southern Gaza, earlier on Tuesday. The military returned fire following the attack, an Israeli official said.</p>
<h2>Fragile Truce Under Threat</h2>
<p>The latest flare-up threatens to unravel the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, which has seen intermittent pauses in fighting as part of negotiations for hostage exchanges and humanitarian aid deliveries.</p>
<p>Netanyahu&rsquo;s directive signals a hardening stance from Israel, as both sides continue to trade blame over ceasefire violations and stalled handovers of hostages&rsquo; remains.</p>
<p>There has been no immediate comment from mediators or international bodies involved in maintaining the ceasefire, but the latest developments have raised fears of a renewed round of hostilities in the war-battered enclave.</p>