Israeli Military Resumes Combat in Gaza, Accuses Hamas of Cease-Fire Violation
The Israeli military has announced that it has resumed combat operations in Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the temporary cease-fire agreement. The war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a violent terror attack on southern Israel.
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The cease-fire expired at 7 a.m. local time, with neither side announcing an extension. About an hour before the deadline, the Israeli Defense Forces reported that its missile defense system had intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory. Hamas has not yet responded to Israel’s claim.
In a social media post, the IDF stated, “Hamas violated the operational pause and, in addition, fired towards Israeli territory. The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip.”
Sporadic air raid sirens were heard in southern Israel on Friday morning, and schools in central Israel were informed that they would only be open if they had bomb shelters. Otherwise, classes would be held online.
On Thursday, eight Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza, while 30 Palestinians jailed in Israel were also released. The cease-fire between the two sides began on November 24 and had been renewed twice. During that time, over 100 Hamas-held hostages and around 240 Palestinian prisoners were released.
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Despite the cease-fire, there were incidents of violence, including a shooting in Jerusalem on Thursday morning, where three Israelis were killed and six others wounded. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to Israel, urged Israel to protect Gaza civilians, stating that Israel has an obligation to minimize harm while neutralizing the threat posed by Hamas.
The released Israeli hostages included siblings Aisha and Bilal Ziyadne, as well as 21-year-old Mia Schem. Hamas alleged that three Israeli hostages, a mother, and her two children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
The conflict has claimed over 1,200 lives, mostly civilians, in southern Israel and Gaza. The situation remains tense as the Israeli military resumes combat operations in Gaza.
