Discussions with the United States are currently underway to determine the scope of the expansion into Gaza.
Israel is considering further encroaching into areas in the Gaza Strip it had previously withdrawn from and seize further territory in response to Hamas's violations of the ceasefire on Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post has learned. An Israeli source warned that "Israel will nibble away" at additional territory currently under Hamas control, adding that the Palestinian terror group "can immediately return a handful of hostage remains" if it chooses to do so. Discussions with the United States are currently underway to determine the scope of the response aside from striking terror infrastructure in Gaza.
Israeli media reported earlier on Tuesday that Jerusalem had informed the US's Civilian Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, tasked with monitoring the enforcement of US President Donald Trump's Gaza deal, of its decision to strike in Rafah after Hamas shot at Israeli forces in the area. Hamas fired an anti-tank missile and gunshots at IDF troops in Rafah on Tuesday afternoon, marking an additional ceasefire violation by the terrorist group. The IDF returned fire in order to stop Hamas from further endangering soldiers on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line, according to a military source.
After a security assessment with defense officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IAF to immediately carry out "powerful strikes" in the Gaza Strip. Following the strikes, Hamas said it would not return the remains of an additional deceased hostage the terror group claimed to have found in Khan Yunis earlier on Tuesday. (Source)
