Netanyahu Orders Israeli Forces to Restart Gaza Bombing in Violation of Ceasefire

Image Credit: Mohammed Ibrahim via Unsplash

On Tuesday 28 October, Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu, instructed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to conduct “powerful strikes” in Gaza, in a clear violation of the US-brokered ceasefire deal made nearly three weeks ago. 

Israel had already accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire on separate occasions, including a claim that the group staged the discovery of a deceased hostage. According to the IDF, the ceasefire was also violated in another attack by Hamas which killed an Israeli soldier in Rafah, Southern Gaza. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz stated in response that Hamas would “pay many times over.” Hamas denies any connection to the attack.

Israel responded by conducting a series of strikes on Gaza which killed at least 104 Palestinians, including 46 children. Dozens more were injured. The IDF claims it targeted military facilities storing weapons for a planned attack by Hamas in Northern Gaza. However, the strikes primarily hit homes, schools, and residential blocks. Hamas reacted by postponing the previously arranged handover of a dead hostage’s body. 

The attacks follow a pattern of ceasefire violations by Israel. At least 211 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks since the deal was passed. Israeli forces continue to restrict the entry of aid and the Rafah crossing remains closed.

The recent developments have brought into question the strength of the ceasefire deal. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territory, noted that Israel continues to kill, starve and displace Gazans, despite the ceasefire. 

Trump, however, remains confident. He asserts that “nothing” could jeopardise the ceasefire deal and that Israel has the right to respond if its soldiers are attacked. Israel claims to have now “resumed enforcing the ceasefire” but with so many previous violations and the lives of Palestinians still shattered, many have little hope in the resumption of the truce.