Netanyahu Vows Retaliation After Rafah Blast, Says Hamas Refuses to Disarm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Wednesday of breaching the Gaza ceasefire by refusing to disarm and warned that Israel would respond after an explosive device wounded an Israeli officer in Rafah.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Air Force pilots, Netanyahu referenced the incident in Rafah — an area of Gaza where Israeli forces remain active — and said Hamas had made clear it had no intention of disarming under the October truce arrangement. "Israel will respond accordingly," he said.

The Israeli military said an explosive device detonated against a military vehicle in the Rafah area, lightly injuring one officer. Hamas denied responsibility; Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi posted on X that the blast was "caused by bombs left behind by the enemy that had not exploded previously, and we have informed the mediators of this."

Diplomatic Moves and Hostage Remains

An Israeli delegation met mediating countries' officials in Cairo on Wednesday to press efforts to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage, police officer Ran Gvili. The delegation included representatives from the Israeli military, the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service and the Mossad foreign intelligence agency.

Context: The U.S. 20-Point Plan

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 20-point plan in September that envisions an initial truce followed by steps toward a wider peace. So far, only the first phase of the plan has been implemented — the ceasefire, an exchange of some hostages and prisoners, and a partial Israeli withdrawal. The plan ultimately calls for Hamas to disarm and relinquish governing authority in Gaza, with Israel withdrawing; Hamas says it will only give up arms after establishment of a Palestinian state, a condition Israel rejects.

Violence has diminished since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 but has not stopped; both sides regularly accuse the other of violations. Gaza's health ministry reports more than 400 people have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire began, and Israeli forces say three soldiers have been killed in militant attacks.

Netanyahu also warned that Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen and Iran itself, remain threats that Israel is monitoring. "As these old threats change form, new threats arise morning and evening. We do not seek confrontations, but our eyes are open to every possible danger," he said. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump next week to discuss advancing to the next phase of the U.S. plan.

Separately, Hamas said a delegation led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya discussed Gaza with Turkey's foreign minister in Ankara and warned against continued Israeli actions it called violations of the ceasefire, which it said could hinder progress toward the next phase.

Reporting by Reuters; editing for clarity and flow. The situation remains fluid and claims from both sides are contested.