Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation on Wednesday after a military officer sustained injuries from an explosion in Gaza. Hamas denied involvement, suggesting the device may have been a remnant from past conflicts. Netanyahu, speaking at an air force pilot graduation event, referenced the incident in Rafah, an area still under Israeli military presence, highlighting Hamas’ refusal to disarm as outlined in the October truce agreement.
The Israeli military reported that an explosive device targeted a military vehicle in Rafah, resulting in minor injuries to an officer. Hamas stated the incident occurred in an area under Israeli control, emphasizing their prior warnings about remaining explosives post-war and reconfirming their adherence to the October ceasefire.
An Israeli delegation, comprising representatives from the military, Shin Bet, and Mossad, convened in Cairo to address the repatriation of the late Israeli hostage Ran Gvili’s remains from Gaza. Trump’s 20-point plan, initiated in September, advocates for a phased approach towards peace, with the ceasefire and prisoner releases marking initial progress.
Despite a decrease in violence post-truce, sporadic breaches persist, with each side accusing the other of violations. Netanyahu criticized Hamas for defying Trump’s plan by refusing disarmament. Netanyahu also mentioned addressing Hezbollah in Lebanon and other threats, emphasizing Israel’s vigilance against evolving dangers.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump to discuss the next phase of the Gaza plan. Meanwhile, Hamas engaged in talks with Turkey’s foreign minister in Ankara, cautioning against Israeli ceasefire breaches hindering progress towards the plan’s subsequent stages.