Israel on Oct. 19 (local time) began airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of violating the cease-fire agreement. The military deployment came nine days after the first-phase Gaza cease-fire took effect, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to AFP and Reuters, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after meeting with senior security officials including defense minister Israel Katz following the Palestinian militant faction Hamas' violation of the cease-fire agreement, ordered them to "take 'strong measures' against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip." However, the prime minister's office did not use the phrase "full-scale resumption of war."
The Israeli military told AFP that "Hamas attempted multiple attacks, seriously violating the cease-fire," asserting that the day's airstrikes were attributable to Hamas. Defense minister Katz also warned, "Hamas will pay a heavy price every time it breaks the cease-fire and attacks," adding, "If they do not understand this message, our response will become increasingly stronger."
Israel is said to have informed the U.S. government in advance of the latest Gaza strikes. The U.S. State Department said the previous day that it had "credible information about the possibility of Hamas violating the cease-fire," adding that it "will respond if attacks resume."
Hamas immediately pushed back. In a statement, it said, "Israel's claims are false accusations and deceptive propaganda to justify its own attacks," asserting that "Israel is committing murder, kidnapping, and looting targeting civilians."
At least 11 people were reported killed and hundreds injured across the Gaza Strip in a series of Israeli airstrikes that day.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a first-phase Gaza cease-fire mediated by President Trump. Under the deal, both sides halted military actions and, starting on the 13th, carried out the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees.
However, the two sides are accusing each other of violating the cease-fire agreement. In particular, Israel and Hamas are also at odds over the exchange of hostages and remains. Hamas returned all 20 surviving hostages, but did not clearly specify the timetable for returning the bodies of deceased hostages.
Israel said it will close the Rafah crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip and Egypt, until further notice. Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "Whether the crossing reopens depends on how faithfully Hamas fulfills its promise to hand over the hostages' bodies."