Netanyahu Orders Strikes on Gaza Following Reported Ceasefire Violation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “immediate and powerful strikes” in the Gaza Strip today, October 28, 2025, after reports of a ceasefire violation by Hamas.
According to reports, the violation involved an attack on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in Rafah. Netanyahu’s office stated that following security consultations, the Prime Minister instructed the military to respond with force. Hamas has indicated it will delay the handover of a hostage body in response, as reported by the Associated Press.
This incident follows the deaths of two IDF soldiers – Major Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21 – earlier this month in Rafah, killed when militants emerged from a tunnel and opened fire. The October 19th attack prompted previous Israeli air and ground strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure, including the dismantling of six kilometers of underground tunnels. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about regional stability and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. For background on the history of the conflict, see the Council on Foreign Relations.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which began on October 10th, had temporarily halted the two-year war between Israel and Hamas, facilitating the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The IDF continues to monitor the situation and assess further actions, and the Israel Defense Forces website provides ongoing updates.
Officials have stated that further details regarding today’s incident are forthcoming.
