Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu orders military to immediately carry out attacks in Gaza

The order will be a new test for the US-brokered ceasefire

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: Alex Kolomoisky/Pool Photo via AP

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the army to immediately carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza, in a new test for the US-brokered ceasefire.

The order from Mr Netanyahu follows heightened tensions, as Israel reported Hamas firing on its forces in southern Gaza and after Hamas returned a set of remains that Israel said belonged to a hostage recovered earlier in the war.