Israeli Attacks in Gaza Accuse Hamas of Ceasefire Violation Amid Middle East Crisis This title succinctly captures the essence of the article, focusing on the Israeli attacks in Gaza, allegations against Hamas, and the broader context of the ongoing Midd

Israel launches fresh assault on Gaza, citing ‘blatant violation’ of ceasefire

Israel have launched airstrikes in Rafah in southern GazaIsraeli and Palestinian media report, as clashes flared between Israeli forces and Hamas despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.

Israel’s public broadcaster Can said the air force was striking targets in Rafahwhile other outlets reported attacks elsewhere in southern Gaza and in the city of Jabalia in the north of the territory.

Israeli TV network Channel 12 reported that the Rafah strikes were aimed at protecting members of the Yasser Abu Shabab militia – an Israeli-backed armed group accused by Palestinian sources of stealing humanitarian aid and attacking civilians during Israel’s two-year war on Gaza.

The Palestinian outlet Quds Networkciting an unnamed security source, said a Hamas-led internal security unit had carried out an operation targeting a hideout belonging to the Yasser Abu Shabab group east of Rafahshortly before the Israeli airstrikes began.

According to The Times of Israel“terror operatives in the Gaza Strip launched an attack on Israeli forces in Rafah,” prompting the strikes.

The Israeli military said that Hamas militants have carried out “multiple attacks” against Israeli forces beyond the “yellow line” buffer zone, including a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas.

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Updated at 12.11 CEST

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Netanyahu said Israel’s Gaza war ‘reaching its conclusion’ before morning strikes on Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that Israel’s war in Gaza is “reaching its conclusion,” announcing plans to give the conflict an official name: “The War of Revival.”

Netanyahu made the remarks before Israeli airstrikes hit Rafah on Sunday morning.

The Times of Israel reports that there was opposition to the renaming from some hostages’ families and a few members of the cabinet.

Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said: “At the end of two consecutive years of fighting, we remember how we began. We rose from the terrible disaster of 7 October.”

He added that Israel would soon award military decorations to soldiers who fought in the campaign – a step traditionally marking the end of a war. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu left the meeting abruptly following news of the attacks across Gaza.

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Two Palestinians killed as Israel strikes northern Gaza city of Jabalia

Israeli military airstrikes have also targeted areas in Jabaliaa city in northern Gaza, according to Israeli media, as attacks continue to escalate despite a week-old ceasefire.

Local news agency He died reported that at least two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in a strike east of Jabalia. Emergency crews have been unable to reach the site after Israel designated the area a “high-risk zone.”

The attacks come as prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu left a cabinet meeting to hold emergency security briefingsamid growing concern over the fragile truce.

The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the US last week.

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Senior Hamas official says group remain committed to the ceasefire

Senior Hamas official Izzat Al Reload has said that the Palestinian militant group remain committed to the ceasefire, which he accused Israel of repeatedly violating:

“Hamas movement reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and emphasises that the Zionist occupation is the party continuing to violate the agreement and fabricate baseless pretexts to justify its crimes.”

“Netanyahu’s attempts to evade and disavow his commitments come under pressure from his extremist terrorist coalition, in a bid to escape his responsibilities before the mediators and guarantors.”

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Israel identifies latest returned body as former Thai hostage

Israel have confirmed that the second of two bodies returned overnight by Hamas was that of a Thai farm worker, killed during the 7 October 2023 attack, whose body was taken to Gaza, AFP reports.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the military had informed the family of the deceased hostage, Sonthaya Oakkharasrithat their loved one had been returned to Israel and formally identified.

Sonthaya Oakkharasri Photograph: Twitter X

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Updated at 11.58 CEST

Israel launches fresh assault on Gaza, citing ‘blatant violation’ of ceasefire

Israel have launched airstrikes in Rafah in southern GazaIsraeli and Palestinian media report, as clashes flared between Israeli forces and Hamas despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.

Israel’s public broadcaster Can said the air force was striking targets in Rafahwhile other outlets reported attacks elsewhere in southern Gaza and in the city of Jabalia in the north of the territory.

Israeli TV network Channel 12 reported that the Rafah strikes were aimed at protecting members of the Yasser Abu Shabab militia – an Israeli-backed armed group accused by Palestinian sources of stealing humanitarian aid and attacking civilians during Israel’s two-year war on Gaza.

The Palestinian outlet Quds Networkciting an unnamed security source, said a Hamas-led internal security unit had carried out an operation targeting a hideout belonging to the Yasser Abu Shabab group east of Rafahshortly before the Israeli airstrikes began.

According to The Times of Israel“terror operatives in the Gaza Strip launched an attack on Israeli forces in Rafah,” prompting the strikes.

The Israeli military said that Hamas militants have carried out “multiple attacks” against Israeli forces beyond the “yellow line” buffer zone, including a rocket-propelled grenade and sniper fire, calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas.

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Updated at 12.11 CEST

Israel launches military attack on Gaza amid escalating tensions – reports

Israel has launched an attack on Gazaaccording to Israeli media, amid escalating tensions and mutual accusations with Hamas over breaches of the US-brokered ceasefire aimed at ending the war in the territory.

There was no immediate comment from the military on the reported attack.

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Updated at 10.51 CEST

Netanyahu says Rafah crossing to stay closed until Hamas returns bodies of hostages as ceasefire tensions rise

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further noticeIsraeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased hostages as the two sides continued to trade blame over ceasefire violations.

Hamasin a statement late on Saturday, said Netanyahu’s decision to keep the crossing closed “constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a repudiation of the commitments he made to the mediators and guarantor parties.”

As of Saturday evening, Hamas had handed back 12 of 28 deceased captivessaying it would need specialist recovery equipment to retrieve the rest from the ruins of Gaza.

In key developments:

• Israel identified the body of a deceased hostage todayafter Hamas handed over two bodies of what the militant group said are deceased hostages to the Red Cross late Saturday night.

• Late on Saturday, the US state department said it had received “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza.”

• Hamas has rejected the accusations, calling them “false” and blaming Israel for sponsoring “criminal gangs” responsible for killings, kidnappings and looting in Gaza. The group said its police forces were pursuing those responsible and urged Washington “to stop echoing the occupation’s misleading narrative”.

• Gaza’s media office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire with Hamas 47 times since the truce came into effect in early October.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid and fuel line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side. Photograph: Reuters

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What specific evidence does Israel present to support its claim of Hamas weapon smuggling into Gaza?

Israeli Attacks in Gaza Accuse Hamas of Ceasefire Violation Amid Middle East Crisis

Recent Escalation of Conflict: A Timeline

The current wave of violence stems from a fragile ceasefire repeatedly tested since its initial implementation. Recent Israeli attacks in Gaza follow accusations that Hamas has violated the terms of the agreement. Understanding the sequence of events is crucial:

* October 15, 2025: Reports emerge of rocket fire originating from Gaza targeting southern Israeli cities. Initial claims attribute the launches to rogue elements, but israel quickly points the finger at Hamas.

* october 16, 2025: Israel responds wiht airstrikes targeting what it claims are Hamas military infrastructure – weapon storage facilities, training camps, adn command centers – within the Gaza Strip.

* October 17-18, 2025: The exchange intensifies. Hamas continues launching rockets, while Israel expands its aerial campaign. Civilian casualties are reported on both sides.International calls for de-escalation grow.

* October 19, 2025 (Current): Ground operations are rumored, with increased Israeli military presence along the Gaza border. The situation remains highly volatile.

Hamas’ Alleged Ceasefire Violations: What We Know

Israel maintains that hamas is directly responsible for the renewed hostilities, citing several alleged breaches of the ceasefire:

1. Rocket Attacks: The primary accusation centers around the continued launching of rockets into Israel, despite the ceasefire agreement.Israel asserts these attacks demonstrate a clear intent to provoke conflict.
2. Weapon Smuggling: Israeli intelligence claims to have intercepted shipments of weapons and materials used for rocket production entering Gaza, allegedly facilitated by Hamas.
3. Military Build-Up: Reports suggest Hamas has been actively rebuilding its military capabilities within Gaza, violating the spirit – and potentially the letter – of the ceasefire.
4. Incitement to Violence: Accusations of inflammatory rhetoric from Hamas leaders, encouraging attacks against Israel, are also contributing factors.

Israeli military Response: Objectives and Tactics

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have outlined several objectives for their operations in Gaza:

* Degrading Hamas’ Military Capabilities: the stated goal is to dismantle Hamas’ rocket infrastructure and prevent future attacks on Israel.

* Targeting Hamas Leadership: the IDF aims to disrupt Hamas’ command and control structure by targeting key leaders and operatives.

* Restoring Deterrence: Israel seeks to re-establish a deterrent effect, discouraging Hamas from future aggression.

Tactics employed by the IDF include:

* Precision Airstrikes: Utilizing advanced targeting technology to minimize civilian casualties (though this remains a point of contention).

* Border security Measures: Strengthening security along the Gaza border to prevent the entry of weapons and materials.

* Potential Ground Incursion: As of today, a full-scale ground invasion remains a possibility, though the IDF has not officially confirmed such plans.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Growing Concern

The escalating conflict is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Key concerns include:

* Limited Access to Essential Services: Airstrikes have damaged infrastructure, disrupting access to electricity, water, and medical care.

* Displacement of Civilians: Thousands of Gazans have been displaced from their homes due to the fighting, seeking shelter in UN-run schools and other facilities.

* Shortage of Medical Supplies: Hospitals in Gaza are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties and a shortage of essential medical supplies.

* Restrictions on Humanitarian Aid: Access for humanitarian organizations is limited, hindering their ability to deliver aid to those in need.

International Response and Mediation Efforts

The international community is actively engaged in efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Key players include:

* United Nations: The UN Security Council has held emergency meetings to discuss the situation and calls for an immediate ceasefire.

* United States: The US has expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself while urging restraint and a return to negotiations.

* Egypt: Egypt, historically a mediator between Israel and Hamas, is playing a key role in attempting to broker a new ceasefire agreement.

* Qatar: Qatar, which has close ties to Hamas, is also involved in mediation efforts.

* European Union: The EU has called for both sides to exercise restraint and resume negotiations.

The Role of Regional Dynamics: Broader Middle East Crisis

The conflict in gaza is not occurring in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics,including:

* Iran’s Influence: Iran’s support for Hamas is a notable factor,with Israel accusing Iran of providing funding and weapons.

* **Sy