Disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza "will be achieved," Netanyahu said during his visit to CENTCOM's CMCC in Kiryat Gat, accompanied by IDF officials, including Lt. -Gen.

An official of the Israel Defense Forces told NBC News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for strikes in retaliation for a Hamas attack in Rafah.

Hamas has said the return of the remaining bodies "may take some time" due to the destruction wrought in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday instructed the country's military to "carry out powerful strikes in Gaza," a statement from his office said, in response to alleged ceasefire violations by Hamas.

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 104 people, including dozens of children, the enclave’s health authorities said on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day since the beginning of the ceasefire championed by US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu called the return of body parts a “clear violation” of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement by Hamas.