Tel aviv: Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning to Hamas, stating that the militant group will pay a 'heavy price' for its recent actions in Gaza, which included an attack on Israeli soldiers and a breach of an agreement concerning the return of deceased hostages.
According to Ghana News Agency, Katz emphasized that the attack by militants in southern Gaza has crossed a 'glaring red line' and that the Israeli military is prepared to respond with 'great force.' He declared that Hamas would face severe consequences for the assault on the soldiers and for failing to adhere to the agreement regarding the fallen hostages.
Reports from Israel's Channel 12 highlighted that the attack on Israeli soldiers occurred in Rafah and involved the use of a rocket-propelled grenade as well as sniper fire. In response to these hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to conduct immediate and 'powerful' strikes, further straining the fragile ceasefire that had been in place since October 10.
Israeli media outlets reported that the military strikes targeted Gaza City and other areas within Gaza on Tuesday evening. The escalation in violence is compounded by Hamas's continued refusal to return 13 deceased hostages who are still held in Gaza, further fueling tensions between the two sides.
