Israel has warned it may resume military operations in Gaza if Hamas does not fully comply with the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire that temporarily halted the conflict in the territory. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions over the return of deceased Israeli hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

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⚠️ Israel Issues Strong Warning

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a statement on Wednesday emphasizing that, should Hamas fail to honor the ceasefire agreement, Israel — in coordination with the United States — would take action to achieve a “total defeat” of Hamas and alter the security situation in Gaza.

This warning followed Hamas’s delivery of two additional deceased hostages to Israel, bringing the total returned since Monday to 20 living hostages and nine deceased bodies. However, the Palestinian group said it cannot retrieve additional remains from Gaza without specialized equipment, falling short of the full requirements of the truce.

“If Hamas refuses to comply with the agreement, Israel will act to achieve all the objectives of the war,” Katz’s office stated.

Hamas’s military wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, acknowledged handing over all living Israeli prisoners under its custody but insisted that recovering the remaining bodies requires extensive effort and resources.

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🇺🇸 US Involvement and Diplomatic Pressure

Senior US advisors indicated that Hamas has expressed a continued intention to honor the ceasefire agreement despite delays. Analysts suggest that any failure to return the remaining hostages’ remains could increase domestic pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly regarding the release of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has already threatened to cut aid deliveries if Hamas does not comply with the body returns, raising concerns about further humanitarian strain.

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🏥 Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

Under the ceasefire plan, brokered by US President Donald Trump, Israel is required to return 15 deceased Palestinians for every deceased Israeli hostage handed over. To date, 90 Palestinian bodies have been transferred to Gaza’s Nasser Hospital.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged Israel to immediately open border crossings for aid delivery, stressing the urgency of supplies including food, medical equipment, and shelter. The Rafah crossing, Gaza’s primary link to Egypt, remains closed despite prior reports of its reopening.

“The test is that we have children fed, that we have anaesthetics in the hospitals for treatment, and that people have tents over their heads,” Fletcher said.

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🔥 Potential Ceasefire Violations

Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli fire killed three Palestinians Wednesday, including two attempting to return home in Shujaiya, raising concerns over potential ceasefire breaches. Israel’s military claimed that suspects crossing the “yellow line” in northern Gaza violated the agreement, prompting Israeli forces to neutralize the threat.

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⚔️ Context: Ongoing Conflict and Political Challenges

The Gaza ceasefire follows a devastating Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and hundreds of hostages taken. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been dire, with the UN declaring a famine in late August 2025, a claim disputed by Israel.

Hamas has refused demands for disarmament and continues to control Gaza’s administration. Israel and the US maintain that Hamas cannot participate in any future government in the territory, leaving unresolved tensions over governance, security, and humanitarian responsibilities.

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📌 Key Takeaways

• Israel threatens to resume fighting if Hamas does not comply with the US-backed Gaza truce.
• Two additional deceased hostages were returned, but the total remains incomplete.
• Hamas cites logistical challenges in recovering bodies from Gaza’s ruins.
• Israel faces internal pressure to tie humanitarian aid to hostage returns.
• UN officials call for immediate aid access at the Rafah border.
• Ceasefire violations continue amid clashes near Gaza’s yellow line.