Hamas Fires on IDF Forces in Rafah - P.M Netanyahu orders “powerful strikes

Tensions in southern Gaza escalated sharply on Tuesday, after Hamas militants fired anti-tank missiles and sniper rounds at an IDF engineering force operating in the Rafah area, the army confirmed.

The IDF responded with artillery fire, with medical sources in Gaza City and Khan Yunis reporting 15 Palestinians killed and dozens wounded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security consultation following the attack, after which he instructed the military to “carry out powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip immediately.”

Hamas Reaffirms Commitment to Ceasefire

Hours after the incident, Hamas issued a statement denying responsibility for the attack.

“The movement has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah. We reaffirm our commitment to the ceasefire agreement,” the group said.

However, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, currently in the region, said that while the United States expects Israel to respond, Washington still considers the ceasefire in effect.

Israel Responds with Airstrikes

Following Netanyahu’s orders, the Israeli Air Force launched a series of airstrikes across Gaza, including in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz condemned the Hamas attack, calling it a “red line” and vowing a forceful response:

“Hamas will pay a heavy price for attacking IDF soldiers and violating the agreement,” Katz said.

The IDF stated that Rafah lies within the zone from which Israeli forces withdrew under the ceasefire’s implementation plan, known as the “Yellow Line.”

Israeli political and security officials are reportedly in talks with Washington to expand the IDF’s operational zone under the agreement and to increase pressure on Hamas to return the bodies of kidnapped victims.

Earlier Tuesday, Hamas had informed mediators it would return the body of a kidnapped Israeli located in Gaza. Later, the organization reversed its decision, citing “Israeli violations” of the ceasefire.

The incident further strains the fragile truce that was reached under U.S.-Qatari-Egyptian mediation.

Chief of Staff Zamir: “The War Is Not Over Yet”

Speaking at a ceremony honoring outstanding civilian IDF employees, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned that Hamas’ noncompliance could reignite hostilities:

“If Hamas does not fulfill its commitments, it will bear responsibility and pay a heavy price,” Zamir said. “The war is not over yet.”

On Monday night, Hamas transferred to Israel the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, kidnapped and murdered on October 7. IDF intelligence footage revealed that Hamas operatives retrieved his remains from eastern Gaza City, buried them using a tractor, and later called the Red Cross claiming they had “found another body.”

Israel believes Hamas violated the ceasefire by concealing its possession of Tzarfati’s remains, despite being required to disclose all recoverable bodies within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.

More Bodies Located Amid Renewed Tension

In an official statement late Tuesday, Hamas claimed to have located the bodies of kidnapped victims Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch, while Arab media reported that the remains of two others — an 85-year-old man and a 25-year-old captive — had also been found. Both were murdered in captivity, according to the reports.