According to a report which cites three Iranian officials including members of the Revolutionary Guard, Khamenei's directive was clear: prepare for potential offensive and defensive actions. This decision underscores the severity of the situation and the heightened risk of conflict between Iran and Israel

Netanyahu emphasized that although the intense operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah are expected to conclude shortly, the broader war against Hamas will persist until the group is completely ousted from power

Hamas's acceptance of the resolution includes critical elements such as the cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of hostages for prisoners held by Israel

The deceased were identified as British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85. The bodies of the four men remain in the possession of Hamas militants, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)

The airstrike in Rafah drew sharp criticism from numerous international organizations, with the foreign ministers of the European Union urging adherence to the International Criminal Court's call for a cessation of hostilities

The spokesman, Abu Ubaida, described the incident in a pre-recorded address aired on Al Jazeera TV. He claimed that Hamas fighters had successfully ambushed Israeli forces inside a tunnel, resulting in several Israeli soldiers being killed, wounded, or captured

Erdogan cautioned that if Israel were to defeat Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it would turn its sights towards Anatolia, Turkey's expansive peninsula also known as Asia Minor

The discovery, which followed the arrest of individuals affiliated with Hamas in mid-December, underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist organizations targeting Jewish institutions across Europe

The second phase, initiated on October 27, saw the invasion of the Gaza Strip. The troop withdrawal announcement now raises questions about whether Israel is entering a new phase or adjusting its tactics in response to international pressure

The ambush involved improvised explosive devices and gunfire from buildings, making it one of the deadliest incidents for Israeli soldiers in the ongoing conflict

The conflict, triggered by Hamas with a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, has seen a significant loss of life on both sides. According to Israeli figures, around 1,200 people were killed in the initial attack, and approximately 240 hostages were taken back to Gaza

The existing truce, already extended for two days, has been marked by the release of 50 Israeli hostages by Hamas, including 30 children and 20 Israeli women