by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel carried out a new wave of “immediate and powerful strikes” across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after Hamas fighters opened fire on Israeli troops near Rafah and faked the recovery of a hostage’s body in violation of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the operation following an emergency security assessment with defense officials, saying the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would “respond with great force” to the renewed hostilities.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Hamas had “crossed a glaring red line” and would “pay many times over for attacking soldiers and for violating the agreement to return the fallen hostages.”
According to the IDF, Hamas operatives fired an anti-tank missile and machine guns at Israeli troops east of Rafah, inside the buffer zone known as the “Yellow Line.” One soldier–Master Sgt. (Res.) Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, from Neria–was killed while operating heavy machinery during the attack.
Staged Burial, Ceasefire Violation
The escalation follows the release of IDF drone footage showing Hamas operatives staging the “burial” and “discovery” of a body in Gaza City. The remains, handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, were later identified as belonging to a soldier already recovered in 2023, not one of the 13 hostages still missing.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused Hamas of “psychological warfare,” saying the terror group “knows the location of all hostages and continues to act with contempt, deceiving mediators and the international community.”
Hamas responded by delaying the planned handover of another hostage’s body, citing what it called “occupation violations” by Israel.
Expanding Operations Inside Gaza
Following the attack, Israeli warplanes struck multiple Hamas positions, including sites near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and tunnel networks in Rafah’s Jenina neighborhood. Palestinian officials claimed at least 60 people were killed overnight, though the figures could not be independently verified.
Israeli officials confirmed that Jerusalem notified Washington of the strikes in advance, and that consultations are ongoing with senior Trump administration officials. One option under review is expanding IDF control beyond the Yellow Line to prevent further attacks.
“Hamas will bear responsibility and pay a heavy price if it does not fulfill its commitments,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Israel is weighing five response options if Hamas continues to withhold hostage remains: extended operational control, targeted escalations, recovery missions, diplomatic pressure, and suspension of existing arrangements.
Trump: “They Should Hit Back”
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that “nothing is going to jeopardize” the ceasefire, but defended Israel’s right to respond.
“They killed an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back–and they should hit back,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Hamas said they would be good. If they’re not good, they’re going to be terminated.”
The U.S. president confirmed that American envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner were in contact with both Israeli and Hamas representatives during the original ceasefire negotiations.
A Fragile Truce Under Strain
Tuesday’s events mark the most serious breach of the ceasefire since it began several weeks ago, underscoring how fragile the current arrangement remains.
Despite Hamas’s denials, Israeli officials insist the group is deliberately stalling the return of hostage remains and using staged footage to manipulate public opinion.
“The war is not over yet,” Zamir said. “If Hamas believes deception will save them, they are gravely mistaken.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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