Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday accused the Palestinian movement Hamas of violating the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, vowing retaliation.
In a statement released by his office, Netanyahu said that Hamas “continues to violate the ceasefire and President Trump’s 20-point plan.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s remarks came after a military officer was lightly wounded when his vehicle ran over an explosive device in the southern city of Rafah.
Netanyahu’s statement said that this incident, as well as Hamas refusal to disarm “is an ongoing flagrant violation,” adding that “Israel will respond accordingly.”
Moreover, the statement noted that “Hamas must be held to the agreement that they signed on, which includes removal from governance, demilitarization and de-radicalization.”
On October 10, 2025, a ceasefire took effect between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, as part of a 20-point peace plan presented by the US President Donald Trump.
The first phase of the plan included increased flow of humanitarian assistance, the return of all the remaining hostages, partial Israeli troops’ withdrawals, and a reduction in hostilities.
Currently, mediators push for advancing the plan’s second phase which includes the deployment of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), the formation of a transitional Board of Peace chaired by Trump, and Israel’s withdrawal to a designated Red Line.
Under the plan, the ISF will work with Israel, Egypt and newly trained Palestinian police to help maintain security and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
However, the disarmament of Hamas remains a sticking point as the Palestinian group insists it will only hand over its weapons if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories and an independent Palestinian State is established.
