Israel vows response to Hamas 'violation' of Gaza truce, Hamas denies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel would retaliate after a military officer was wounded by a blast in Gaza. Hamas denied responsibility, suggesting the explosive device had been left over from the conflict.

In a speech at a graduation ceremony for Air Force pilots, Netanyahu mentioned the incident in Rafah, part of Gaza where Israeli forces still operate, and said Hamas had made clear it had no plan to disarm as foreseen under the October truce deal.

"Israel will respond accordingly," he said.

Earlier, the Israeli military said an explosive device had detonated against a military vehicle in the Rafah area, lightly injuring one officer.

Hamas said the incident occurred in an area under full Israeli military control and noted that it had warned explosives remained in the area and elsewhere following the conflict. The group reiterated its commitment to the October 10 ceasefire.

Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi said in an earlier post on X that mediators had been informed about the issue.

Negotiations on next step of Gaza peace plan

A 20-point plan issued by U.S. President Donald Trump in September called for an initial truce followed by steps towards a wider peace. So far, only the first phase has taken effect, including a ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal.

An Israeli delegation met officials from mediating countries in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss efforts to return the remains of the last Israeli hostage, police officer Ran Gvili, from Gaza, Netanyahu's office said later on Wednesday.

The Israeli mission, led by hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch, also addressed the sensitive issue of Hamas disarmament and the potential deployment of an international stabilization force.

Also on Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with a Hamas delegation led by the group's senior member Khalil al-Hayya in Ankara to discuss the situation in Gaza and exchange views on the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, the Turkish semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

Fidan reiterated that "Türkiye will continue to defend the rights of Palestinians" and briefed the delegation on the country's ongoing efforts to address shelter and humanitarian needs in Gaza.

The Hamas delegation stressed it had adhered to the ceasefire conditions, yet accused Israel of continuing attacks on Gaza and hindering the transition to the second phase of the peace plan.

The negotiations are part of broader efforts to stabilize the fragile ceasefire that took effect on October 10. While the truce ended large-scale fighting, Gaza health authorities say more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in localized violence since October 11.

Netanyahu is set to meet with Trump next week, mainly to discuss the next phase of the U.S. president's Gaza plan.

The second phase of the peace plan, which mediators hope to launch in January, envisions a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the long-term demilitarization of the territory.

(With input from agencies)