Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Wednesday that Israel would retaliate following an incident where a military officer was injured by an explosion in Gaza. Hamas denied involvement, suggesting that the explosive device may have been a remnant from previous conflicts. Netanyahu, speaking at an air force pilots’ graduation ceremony, referenced the attack in Rafah, an area where Israeli forces are still present, and criticized Hamas for failing to adhere to the disarmament terms outlined in the October truce agreement.
The Israeli military reported that an explosive device had detonated against a military vehicle in the Rafah region, resulting in minor injuries to one officer. Hamas contended that the incident occurred in an area under Israeli control and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire reached on October 10, emphasizing that warnings had been issued regarding the presence of explosives in the vicinity since the conflict.
In a separate development, an Israeli delegation engaged in discussions with mediators in Cairo regarding the repatriation of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza. The delegation, which included representatives from the Israeli military, Shin Bet, and Mossad, convened to address the stipulations laid out in a 20-point plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump in September. The plan calls for a phased approach to peace, with the initial phase encompassing a ceasefire, the release of captives, and partial Israeli withdrawal.
Netanyahu highlighted the challenges posed by groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, emphasizing Israel’s vigilance against evolving threats. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to addressing regional security concerns, underscoring the need to remain alert to potential dangers. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Trump to discuss the next steps in implementing the Gaza peace plan.
Meanwhile, Hamas officials, led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, met with Turkey’s foreign minister in Ankara to discuss the situation in Gaza. Al-Hayya expressed concerns over Israeli violations of the ceasefire, warning that such actions could impede progress towards advancing the ceasefire agreement.
