Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered immediate, large-scale air and ground attacks on Gaza following allegations that Hamas violated the ongoing ceasefire agreement. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas has failed to return the bodies of 13 Israeli hostages still believed to be trapped under rubble in Gaza, an act they describe as a direct breach of the truce.

Hamas, however, stated that the recovery of those bodies requires heavy machinery and expert teams due to the extensive destruction in the area. Although Israel allowed limited humanitarian assistance for rescue efforts, the retrieval of all remains remains incomplete. Mediators—including U.S. officials and former President Donald Trump—had reportedly warned earlier that recovering the hostages’ remains from the ruins would be extremely difficult.

Under the ceasefire deal, Hamas was supposed to return the bodies in exchange for Israel partially halting its military operations. With progress stalled, the situation has once again escalated sharply. Analysts believe Netanyahu’s renewed offensive may serve as a strategic response to justify continued military actions, further complicating peace prospects. Observers also fear the new strikes could severely worsen Gaza’s already dire humanitarian crisis.

Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Yaal Zamir has declared that the war in Gaza will continue until Hamas returns the bodies of all Israeli hostages killed during the conflict. Speaking at a conference of IDF lieutenant commanders in Jerusalem on October 27, Zamir emphasized that the mission remains “sacred,” with two key goals — recovering the bodies of Israeli hostages and sustaining the campaign against Hamas. He stressed that the Israel Defense Forces are committed to fulfilling their moral and professional duty with courage and determination. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths. Although a ceasefire brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump began on October 10, the issue of returning the bodies of deceased hostages continues to hinder lasting peace.

Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has given preliminary approval to a bill that seeks to formally annex the occupied West Bank into Israeli territory, effectively extending Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian land. The bill passed by a narrow 25–24 vote and must undergo three more rounds of voting before becoming law. Despite opposing the bill, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced support for it from some coalition and opposition members. The proposal has drawn sharp condemnation from the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and Arab nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, all warning that it violates international law and threatens peace efforts. The move also contradicts recent U.S. policy statements discouraging annexation. Critics say the legislation undermines the two-state solution and further entrenches Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

Israeli air and ground assaults continue in Gaza, intensifying concerns about the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas. The Palestinian Civil Defense reported four people killed in two separate incidents in the Al-Shifa area, while Israeli forces claim they targeted militants crossing the designated “yellow line.” Residents say widespread destruction makes the line nearly impossible to identify. Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. At least 42 people, including children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on October 19, which Israel calls retaliation for the killing of two soldiers by Hamas, a claim the group denies. Humanitarian aid delivery faces delays due to multiple checkpoints, despite Israel announcing a partial resumption of the ceasefire. U.S. envoys, including Steve Whitlock and Jared Kushner, have met with Israeli officials, while Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to visit. Discussions on Hamas disarmament and Gaza administration reforms remain contentious.

Israeli forces launched new airstrikes and opened fire in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing several Palestinians and sparking fears that the fragile truce could collapse. According to Al Jazeera, four civilians were killed in the Al-Shaaf area of Gaza City when they returned to inspect their destroyed homes. The Israeli army claimed they fired on militants who had crossed a boundary known as the “yellow line,” established under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on October 10. Since then, Gaza authorities report at least 97 Palestinians killed, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement. Last Sunday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed 42 people, including children. Hamas denied Israeli claims of attacks near Rafah and accused Israel of seeking excuses to restart the conflict. Despite threats to block humanitarian aid, Israel later confirmed it would maintain the truce. The UN said aid deliveries to Gaza have resumed.

Although a ceasefire officially took effect in Gaza last Friday, Israeli attacks have persisted, resulting in at least 97 Palestinian deaths and over 230 injuries, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office and Al Jazeera. The office reported that Israel has violated the truce agreement 80 times since it began. Israel claims its recent strikes were in retaliation for alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas, but Hamas has denied the accusations. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire remains in effect and that Washington is ensuring the situation stays calm. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks urging immediate humanitarian relief for Palestinians and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Both leaders emphasized working together toward a two-state solution. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 68,000 Palestinians and injured more than 170,000.

Following intense airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that left at least 45 Palestinians dead, Israel has announced the reinstatement of a ceasefire. According to the Times of Israel, Israeli forces launched heavy attacks throughout Sunday (October 19) after claiming that two soldiers were killed and three seriously wounded in a Hamas assault near Rafah. Hamas, however, denied any involvement in the incident. Despite that, Israeli forces continued bombings in several parts of Gaza. Later in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared that the ceasefire was being re-enforced based on “political-level instructions” following a series of operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, Gaza’s media office reported that since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli forces have violated it at least 80 times, killing 97 Palestinians and injuring over 230. Gaza’s Health Ministry states that since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed 68,159 Palestinians and injured 170,203 others.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, sparking concern over the fragile ceasefire in the besieged Palestinian territory. According to reports, Israel has violated the truce 47 times since it was declared, resulting in the deaths of at least 38 Palestinians. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces continue military activities in areas such as Shejaiya, al-Tuffah, and Khan Younis, while Palestinians are still barred from Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. Netanyahu claimed the border cannot reopen because Hamas has yet to return the bodies of all Israeli hostages. Palestinian groups argue the decision breaches the ceasefire agreement, which included reopening Rafah and allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Hamas warned that continued border closures could delay the handover of hostages’ remains, further complicating the already strained truce.

An Iranian news agency, Mehr, has reported that hacker collective Handala has released the identities and personal information of 17 senior Israeli military scientists. The group described this act as an “unprecedented leak,” claiming these individuals—both men and women—are the core architects of Israel’s “Zionist war machine.” According to Handala, the scientists are not unknown employees but designers of weapons that have caused immense suffering and death among innocent civilians. The hackers published the confidential details as part of what they call a campaign for accountability and resistance against Israeli military aggression. As of now, Israeli authorities have made no official comment, and the authenticity of the leaked information has not been independently verified. The revelation has drawn significant attention amid ongoing cyber confrontations linked to the Israel–Iran conflict.

Israel has announced plans to demolish the remaining underground tunnels in Gaza operated by Hamas immediately after the scheduled release of hostages, a move approved by the United States. The tunnels, which extend under the border into Israeli territory, have been used by Hamas to launch surprise attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military has been instructed to prepare for the operation, which will follow the current U.S.-supported ceasefire in Gaza. The ceasefire, initiated three days ago, has already paved the way for the release of 48 Israeli hostages and the reciprocal freeing of 250 prisoners and 1,700 Palestinians detained by Israel. Hamas has agreed to the first phase of the U.S. plan but has not yet committed to full disarmament, citing complications in the second phase.

Israel has continued air and artillery strikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis despite a ceasefire agreement meant to end two years of war with Hamas. Local officials report at least nine Palestinians killed since Thursday morning. Witnesses say Israeli drones and tanks have targeted civilian areas, blocking displaced residents from returning home. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, includes prisoner exchanges, humanitarian aid entry, and phased Israeli withdrawal. In the first phase, Hamas will release 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Around 400 aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza soon. The war, sparked in October 2023, has killed over 67,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, prompting the UN to call it a humanitarian catastrophe.

Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam has been detained by Israeli forces from the ship Conscience, which was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to Gaza. In a video posted on Facebook Wednesday morning, Shahidul said that their vessel was intercepted at sea and he had been “kidnapped” by Israeli occupation forces. He urged global solidarity with the Palestinian struggle against genocide and oppression. The Times of Israel reported that the flotilla, consisting of nine vessels carrying over 100 activists, attempted to break through the Gaza naval blockade but was intercepted by the Israeli navy. Israeli authorities confirmed that all ships and passengers were safely taken to an Israeli port and would soon be deported. The flotilla had departed from Italy about two weeks ago, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Four French lawmakers detained in Israel after participating in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have begun a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians, according to their party, France Unbowed. The group’s leader, Manon Aubry, told French radio that the detainees — François Piquemal, Marie Mesmayer, Rima Hassan, and Emma Fourreau — are being held in harsh conditions, with over ten people in a single cell and limited access to water. Aubry said communication has been minimal, only through lawyers and the French consul. France Unbowed urged the French government to secure the lawmakers’ release. The four were among 30 French nationals arrested when Israel intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” a convoy of 45 ships attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of the blockade. The hunger strike highlights growing international concern over Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to an initial phase of troop withdrawal from Gaza. He emphasized that a ceasefire would come into effect immediately once Hamas confirms it. Hamas has also accepted parts of Trump’s 20-point proposal, signaling progress toward halting the Israeli offensive. The White House had earlier released a map indicating the boundaries for the initial withdrawal, which would still leave Israel controlling approximately 55 percent of Gaza according to BBC Verify. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that hostages held in Gaza could be released soon and stressed that Hamas has no choice but to accept the U.S. proposal under combined diplomatic and military pressure. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to ending Hamas’s control over Gaza and disarming the militant group, marking a potential turning point in the conflict.

Israel has carried out fresh airstrikes across Gaza, killing 46 Palestinians, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to halt bombings following Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire. The latest attacks, which continued from early Saturday to evening, included a deadly strike on a home in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood that killed 17 people from one family, among them women and children—the youngest just eight months old. Al Jazeera reports that three of the dead were waiting for aid. Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has now reached 67,074. The enclave faces severe famine, with two more people dying from hunger in the past 24 hours, raising starvation-related deaths to 459, including 154 children. The Israeli military has not commented on the recent operations.