The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on approximately 20 Hamas targets across Gaza, including the central Strip, between 12:05 PM and 1:05 PM UTC on October 19th, 2025, in response to multiple ceasefire violations. These violations included an explosion targeting an IDF engineering vehicle in Rafah, a sniper attack, and the killing of two armed Palestinian suspects near the Jabalia border, according to an IDF statement and reports from the X account Osint613. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas would "pay a heavy price for every shooting and violation of the ceasefire," and that the IDF was instructed to act forcefully. Over the past hour, the IDF reported striking "significant underground terrorist infrastructure in the Nusirat area" in central Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking during this period, emphasized the IDF's determination to protect its soldiers and prevent harm, stating that Hamas would "learn the hard way" and that the "intensity of the responses will increase" if the message is not understood. The IDF also reported that two armed Palestinian suspects who crossed the yellow line border near Jabalia were killed in an IDF airstrike. Reports from the X account Osint613 detailed that the ceasefire violations included an explosion on an IDF engineering vehicle in Rafah, likely an anti-tank or IED attack with multiple IDF casualties reported, and a sniper attack on an Israeli soldier in Rafah, to which the IDF returned fire. Prime Minister Netanyahu was holding a security meeting with the Defense Minister and IDF leadership. An Israeli official responded to a Hamas statement by saying they had "no contact with the pilots who went out to attack" and would check with them upon their return. Previous reports from this morning detailed that Israeli airstrikes in Rafah began between 7:35 AM and 8:35 AM UTC, following an anti-tank missile attack on an IDF engineering vehicle. The IDF had also reported eliminating two terrorists in the Jabaliya region who had penetrated beyond the 'yellow line'. Senior Hamas officials had previously reiterated that the organization would not disarm and intended to maintain control over Gaza's security, characterizing the current ceasefire as a temporary pause. The United States Department of State had also informed guarantor nations of credible reports of an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas earlier today.
