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Israel's military swiftly resumed operations in Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the seven-day truce. According to a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas breached the operational pause and launched rockets toward Israeli territory.
As reported by Sky News, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office asserted that Hamas failed to release all women hostages as stipulated in the truce, while also firing rockets at Israel. The IDF, committed to its war goals, stated, "The Israeli government is determined to free hostages, eliminate Hamas, and ensure Gaza poses no threat to Israeli residents."
Approximately 30 minutes after the ceasefire's expiration, Israeli fighter jets targeted Hamas locations in the Gaza Strip. Airstrikes hit southern Gaza, including the community of Abassan, east of Khan Younis, as well as a home northwest of Gaza City. Social media displayed images of plumes of smoke over the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari reported multiple rocket launches from Gaza towards Israel, triggering sirens in nearby communities. The ceasefire, which concluded at 7 am local time, concluded, with the IDF expressing readiness to continue military operations.
Hamas had released 79 Israeli hostages over seven days, while hundreds of Palestinians were freed from prisons. However, about 140 hostages remain in Gaza, complicating efforts to extend the truce by international mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a meeting with Netanyahu, urged compliance with international humanitarian law if Israel resumed hostilities. Israel's stated objective is to eliminate Hamas in response to the group's alleged rampage on October 7, during which Israel claims 1,200 people were killed and 240 taken hostage.
The toll from Israel's bombardment of Gaza, according to the Hamas health ministry, surpasses 13,300 Palestinians, with approximately two-thirds being women and children.
[With information sourced from Sky News]
