Israeli forces on the border with Gaza. Oct. 16, 2025. Photo by Tsafrir Abayov\/Flash90.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cEarlier today, terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire toward IDF troops operating to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Rafah area, in southern Gaza, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement,\u201d the IDF said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn response, the IDF has begun striking in the area to eliminate the threat and dismantle tunnel shafts and military structures used for terrorist activity,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly,\u201d the military added.<\/p>\n
An IDF source earlier told Reuters<\/em> that Hamas carried out several attacks on IDF soldiers beyond the Yellow Line\u2014the boundary to which the military withdrew under the Trump administration\u2019s peace plan.<\/p>\nAccording to the Channel 12 News<\/em> broadcaster, the attacks included anti-tank fire toward an IDF engineering vehicle in the Rafah area. In response, the Israeli Air Force reportedly carried out three airstrikes.<\/p>\nPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz were updated on the developments during the weekly Cabinet meeting. The premier subsequently convened a situational assessment with Katz and senior IDF officials regarding the nature of the response.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu \u201cdirected them to act forcefully against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip,\u201d according to a statement from the Prime Minister\u2019s Office following the meeting.<\/p>\n
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit Party, called on Netanyahu to \u201cfully resume combat in the Gaza Strip with maximum force\u201d in response to the truce violation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe false illusions that Hamas will change its ways, or even adhere to the agreement it signed, are proving, as expected, to be dangerous to our security. The Nazi terrorist organization must be completely destroyed\u2014and the sooner, the better,\u201d said Ben-Gvir.<\/p>\n
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism Party, responded with one word, tweeting Sunday afternoon: \u201cWar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Returning the hostages, disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza remain Jerusalem\u2019s security policy, Katz reaffirmed earlier Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe return of all captive and fallen soldiers, the disarmament of Hamas and the dismantling of all its weapons production capabilities, the demilitarization of Gaza through the destruction of terror tunnels and all terror infrastructure, strict supervision of border crossings and the Philadelphi Corridor to prevent weapons smuggling, the deployment of the Israel Defense Forces along the Yellow Line with control over more than 50% of Gaza\u2019s territory\u2014with clear marking and strict enforcement to prevent any approach or crossing\u2014and the use of fire against any threat or attack on IDF soldiers,\u201d Israel Katz wrote in an X post.<\/p>\n
Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, Hamas was required to return all 28 hostage bodies<\/a> it held by Oct. 13. So far, it has transferred to Israel only 12. The terrorist organization is also refusing <\/a>to disarm and intends to remain the ruling party in Gaza during an interim period, both in violation of U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s 20-point Gaza peace plan unveiled on Sept. 29.<\/p>\nKatz\u2019s statement builds on Jerusalem\u2019s war goals, reaffirmed by Netanyahu in August\u2014releasing the hostages, both dead and alive; eliminating Hamas\u2019s military and governing capabilities and ensuring that Gaza can never again threaten Israel.<\/p>\n
Terrorists killed in Khan Yunis area<\/strong><\/p>\nIsraeli forces on Friday killed several terrorists who exited a tunnel shaft and approached troops in the Khan Yunis area in the southern Gaza Strip. The terrorists posed an \u201cimminent threat\u201d and were eliminated \u201cin accordance with the agreement,\u201d the IDF said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, several terrorists exited a tunnel shaft in the nearby Rafah area and opened fire at IDF troops. No injuries to Israeli forces were reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cIDF troops are deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove immediate threats,\u201d the military said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/F251016TA24-1320x880-1.jpg\")