Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called for a meeting with the Defense Minister and senior security officials following reports of Hamas violations of the ceasefire.
“Following the ceasefire violations by Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu held discussions with the Defense Minister and heads of the security establishment and directed that strong action be taken against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu said in a post on Twitter.
This announcement has been made amid the tense situation at the ground level.
According to Palestinian officials, Israeli forces have reportedly violated the ceasefire 47 times since it took effect in early October, resulting in 38 deaths and 143 injuries, Al Jazeera reports.
A widespread conflict from October 2023 has had devastating consequences. At least 68,116 people have been killed and 170,200 injured in Israeli military operations in Gaza, while 1,139 people were killed and about 200 taken prisoner during the October 7 attacks in Israel.
Against this backdrop, Netanyahu on Saturday ordered the closure of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt “until further notice.” He linked this decision to Hamas’s treatment of the bodies of Israeli hostages.
The Rafah crossing, the only exit from Gaza that is not directly controlled by Israel, serves a vital humanitarian and logistics lifeline for residents of the besieged area. Its periodic closures underline the complex political and security situations in the region.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed that the Rafah border crossing will not be opened until further notice. Consideration of its opening will depend on how Hamas fulfills its role in the exchange of dead hostages and implements the agreed framework.”
Meanwhile, Hamas handed over the bodies of two more hostages to Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the coffins have been transferred to Red Cross custody and are being delivered to Israeli personnel in Gaza. He further said that under the agreement Hamas would be required to return all remaining hostages.
Earlier, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that the Rafah crossing would be reopened on Monday, October 20, after coordination with Egyptian authorities to allow Palestinian citizens living in Egypt to return to the Gaza Strip.
The embassy further said that further logistical information regarding gathering locations and departure times will be provided directly to those affected.
Amid ongoing tensions, Hamas accused Netanyahu of using “frivolous pretexts” to disrupt the ceasefire agreement, while protesters in Tel Aviv rallied and demanded that the government ensure the return of all remains from Gaza.
