Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli army to launch immediate, forceful strikes in Gaza. Hamas said it would delay the handover of a hostage’s body, adding pressure on the fragile US-brokered ceasefire. In Gaza, tank fire and explosions were reported across several areas, and health officials said at least two Palestinians had been killed.

The ceasefire that began on 10 October has largely held despite earlier flare-ups. On 19 October, Israel said two of its soldiers were killed by Hamas fire, and Israeli strikes killed more than 40 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Over the weekend, Israel carried out an air strike targeting what it described as Islamic Jihad militants, wounding several people. Thirteen hostage bodies remain in Gaza. Hamas said it had recovered a hostage body but, after Israel announced plans to strike Gaza, delayed the handover.

An observer noted that the slow return of hostages’ bodies is complicating the next stages of the ceasefire, which include disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, and deciding who governs the territory. Hamas says it is struggling to locate bodies amid extensive destruction, while Israel accuses the group of delaying. Egypt has dispatched experts and heavy equipment to assist in the search for the bodies, with work continuing in Khan Younis and Nuseirat. An Arab official involved in the talks said discussions are under way to prevent the truce from collapsing, noting that both sides violated the agreement but not significantly. Violations cited included delays in handing over bodies, failure to open Rafah crossing, delays evacuating patients, limited aid deliveries, and minor skirmishes along the border.