Israel Brief: Sunday, October 19

Twenty targets, one message: Hamas breaks the truce again, Katz orders decisive strikes, and Israel reminds Gaza what “ceasefire” means.

Shavua tov, friends. The new week begins with clarity delivered by jet engines. Hamas violated the ceasefire with anti-tank fire and gunmen near Rafah; Israel answered across Gaza—twenty targets hit and counting. Defense Minister Israel Katz said it plain: Hamas will “learn the hard way” that the IDF protects its soldiers and answers every shot.

This is enforcement rather than escalation for its own sake. The ceasefire was written in good faith; Hamas read it as opportunity. Now, every violation redraws the line in fire. The question is not whether Israel will respond—it’s how many times Hamas wants to test the proof.

The War Today

IDF strikes in Rafah after Hamas targets military vehicles in violation of Gaza ceasefire

The IDF struck Hamas positions in Rafah after terrorists fired an anti-tank missile and gunfire at Israeli engineering vehicles, confirming the group’s clearest violation of the ceasefire so far. Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a security assessment with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as Hamas accused Israel of “fabrications” while continuing its internal killing spree in Gaza. The attack followed reports of Hamas gunmen emerging from tunnel shafts in Khan Younis and Rafah, where soldiers neutralized advancing terrorists under ceasefire rules of engagement. The message is simple: Israel will not tolerate attacks dressed up as peace. Read more →