Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, March 18, 2025. (Ali Hassan/Flash90)
Military officials said the renewed escalation followed an attack by Hamas east of the Yellow Line in Gaza.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered the Israeli military to launch new strikes in Gaza in retaliation for Hamas breaking the US-brokered ceasefire and faking the recovery of a hostage’s body.
In a statement following security consultations, Netanyahu’s office said he instructed the defense establishment to carry out “immediate, powerful” operations against Hamas targets.
US officials confirmed that Washington was informed of the decision.
Military officials said the renewed escalation followed an attack by Hamas east of the so-called Yellow Line, which separates the Israeli-controlled buffer zone from the rest of Gaza.
Shortly before, the Prime Minister’s Office accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire by handing over remains that did not match any of the 13 Israeli hostages still missing.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas would face a “heavy price” for the attack on Israeli troops and for violating the agreement governing the return of deceased hostages. He pledged that the Israel Defense Forces would “respond with great force.”
The IDF released drone footage it said exposed Hamas operatives burying a body in Gaza City and later staging its “discovery” in the presence of Red Cross personnel.
In the 15-minute video, three men are seen covering a white shroud with dirt, followed by scenes of the same shroud being uncovered as Red Cross staff observe.
The army said the footage proves Hamas sought to “create a false impression” of genuine recovery efforts.
After Netanyahu’s announcement, Hamas said it would delay transferring another hostage’s body retrieved in southern Gaza, citing Israel’s “violations.”
The body, found in Nuseirat, was reportedly recovered from rubble left by a June 2024 Israeli rescue operation that freed three hostages.
Hamas claims additional captives were killed during that mission, though Israel and the US deny it.
By Tuesday night, Palestinian media reported a wave of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City.
The Prime Minister’s Office declined comment, while local outlets said Netanyahu was coordinating directly with senior US officials as Israel prepared to expand IDF operations in Gaza.
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