Hamas once again broke its word.
On Sunday, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at Israel Defense Forces operating in southern Gaza—clear violations of the U.S.–brokered ceasefire. The attacks triggered Israeli airstrikes and high-level security meetings in Jerusalem, as leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Israel’s security and to bringing every hostage home.
“These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly,” the military said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed forces to act “forcefully against terrorist targets,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz reminded the world of Israel’s enduring war goals: to return every hostage, disarm Hamas, and ensure Gaza can never again pose a threat to the Jewish state.
The Ceasefire That Wasn’t
Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas was required to return all 28 hostage bodies it still held by Oct. 13. To date, only 12 have been returned. The terrorist group also refuses to disarm or relinquish control of Gaza—both direct violations of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan announced last month.
Katz outlined the strategy in detail: eliminate Hamas’s weapons, destroy terror tunnels, and station Israeli forces along the “Yellow Line,” securing more than half of Gaza’s territory to prevent any new threat.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said it bluntly: “The false illusions that Hamas will change its ways are dangerous. The Nazi terrorist organization must be completely destroyed—and the sooner, the better.”
