Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered "powerful" strikes on Gaza after he said Hamas violated a ceasefire agreement by returning the partial remains of a hostage recovered by the IDF almost two years ago.

Since an Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal came into effect, the U.S. effort to sustain it appears to have constrained Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israeli media reported that options on the table include halting humanitarian aid to Gaza, expanding military control over the enclave, or launching targeted airstrikes against Hamas leaders.

An apparent effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen dangling from a construction crane in north-eastern Turkey has caused outrage in Israel. Photos published by the pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak showed a figure hanging from a crane in the Black Sea city of Trabzon.

Today’s hearing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial has been cut short and will end three hours earlier than later, due to “security developments” that the premier relayed to the judges of the Jerusalem District Court in a closed-door session.