Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ordering the military to “carry out immediate and powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip” following shots fired at soldiers in Rafah on Tuesday.
Israel Defense Forces personnel were reportedly shot at and returned fire. After this, coupled with alleged attempts by Hamas to dupe officials over the return of deceased hostages’ remains, Netanyahu called a meeting of Israel’s National Security Council.
“Following security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed the military to immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” the prime minister’s office announced Tuesday via social media.
Hamas responded to news of the strikes by saying it would delay the release of more hostages’ remains, according to the Associated Press.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Hamas of intentionally violating the Gaza peace agreement by misleading officials about its efforts to recover Israeli hostage remains.
HAMAS IN PANIC MODE AFTER ISRAEL ACCUSES IT OF FAKING HOSTAGE REMAINS RECOVERY
“Hamas lies. They know where the remaining hostages are. Staged excavations are not only abusive — these violations endanger the ceasefire,” the ministry wrote. “Drone footage shows Hamas moving & reburying body remains — then staging a false discovery for the Red Cross to witness.”
The situation has infuriated the most bellicose members of Netanyahu’s Cabinet, particularly Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who issued a statement urging the prime minister to rearrest “all the terrorists who were released in the hostage deal.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
