Hamas has "crossed a red line" with its repeated violations of the ceasefire, an Israeli official said Tuesday, as Israeli forces launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip following an attack on troops in Rafah.
“Hamas broke the agreement from the start. They were obligated to return all the fallen within 72 hours, but instead released them in drips,” the official said. “We bit our tongues and acted wisely to build legitimacy. We gathered evidence, and it is unequivocal. The Americans are backing us here.”
The official accused Hamas of preparing a media campaign by staging scenes for foreign journalists. “They held auditions for actors. People were bandaged up just for the performance aimed at outsiders,” the official said.
“The deception is clear, and we must not overlook it,” the official continued. “The prime minister instructed a very significant strike in response to the fire and violations. More will follow. They have already crossed a red line. We have shown restraint. We gave them a chance to return the bodies, and they chose not to.”
Hamas operatives claim to recover hostage remain from tunnel in Khan Younis
(Video: Reuters)
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Hamas operatives recover remains of hostage in Khan Younis, Gaza
(Photo: Bashar TALEB / AFP)
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the warning, vowing that “Hamas will pay a heavy price” for both attacking Israeli troops and violating the ceasefire agreement. “Protecting our soldiers is the highest priority,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Hamas announced it had located the body of a captive in a tunnel in Khan Younis and planned to transfer it to the Red Cross. Following the Israeli strikes, however, Hamas said it would delay the transfer, citing Israeli “violations.” Later, Saudi outlet Al Hadath reported Hamas had retrieved the remains of another captive, though the group has not confirmed the report.
The latest attack comes just over a week after another deadly Hamas strike in Rafah killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting Israeli airstrikes but no immediate changes to humanitarian aid policies due to U.S. pressure.
Hamas was required under the ceasefire to return all hostages—living and deceased—within 72 hours. While all 20 living captives have been released, only 15 of 28 fallen hostages have been returned, according to Israeli officials. Thirteen bodies are still believed to be held in Gaza.
Israel has accused Hamas of lying about its inability to recover the remaining bodies. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a direct role in maintaining the ceasefire, gave Hamas a 48-hour deadline late last week. Hamas’ announcement of an additional transfer came just before the deadline expired, but Israeli officials later said the remains were not among the 13 hostages still unaccounted for.
Hamas operatives staging handover of hostage remains
(Video: IDF)
Drone footage released Tuesday by the Israeli military allegedly shows Hamas fighters staging a burial of the recovered remains, digging up and re-burying the body in front of Red Cross representatives.
Israeli officials are weighing further responses, including resuming combat operations or reoccupying parts of Gaza beyond the so-called “yellow line,” depending on consultations with Washington.