Hamas Opens Fire on IDF, Israel Instantly Wipes Out Five Top Commanders in Retaliatory Blitz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the Gaza ceasefire today (Saturday), stating that an armed terrorist crossed into Israeli-controlled territory and opened fire on IDF soldiers, prompting Israel to kill five senior Hamas operatives in retaliatory airstrikes.

In an English-language statement, Netanyahu declared: "Today Hamas violated the ceasefire again and sent a terrorist into Israeli territory to attack IDF soldiers. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists." He stressed that Israel has "fully complied" with the agreement while Hamas has repeatedly breached it, citing dozens of incidents in which Hamas fighters crossed lines to attack troops.

The prime minister renewed calls for mediators to pressure Hamas to honor the deal and President Trump’s 20-point plan, specifically demanding the immediate return of the bodies of three murdered hostages still held by Hamas, full disarmament, and complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.

The triggering incident occurred earlier Saturday when an armed Hamas terrorist exploited a humanitarian aid corridor, crossed the designated "yellow line" in southern Gaza, and fired at IDF forces. Troops from the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade returned fire and neutralized the attacker; no Israeli casualties were reported. The IDF described the shooting as a flagrant violation of the ceasefire.

In immediate response, and guided by Military Intelligence and Shin Bet targeting, the Israeli Air Force struck multiple Hamas targets across Gaza, including a precision strike in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood that killed the five senior operatives.

Fighting in Gaza has resumed in several areas following the incident, marking the most serious escalation since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect earlier this month.