- Hamas releases 79 hostages
- Ceasefire breach; Israel resumes hostilities
- International mediators’ efforts stall
The attainment of hostage release agreements between Israel and Hamas seemed increasingly elusive, notwithstanding the endeavours of international mediators, including Qatar and the United States.
The Israeli military has recommenced hostilities in Gaza after Hamas’s alleged breach of the seven-day ceasefire.
An Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson stated, “Hamas violated the operational pause and opened fire on Israeli territory.”
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further stated that Hamas breached the terms of the ceasefire by failing to release all female hostages and by launching projectiles at Israel.
It said in a statement, “With the resumption of hostilities, we emphasise: The Israeli government is committed to achieving the war’s objectives: ensuring that Gaza will never pose a threat to Israeli citizens, liberating our hostages, and eliminating Hamas.”
Renewed Conflict and Consequences
About 30 minutes after the ceasefire collapsed, Israel reported that its fighter jets were bombing Hamas sites in Gaza.
Southern Gaza, including the community of Abassan east of the town of Khan Younis, was the target of airstrikes, according to the interior ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.
A residential dwelling was targeted by an additional strike located to the northwest of Gaza City.
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Social media platforms also featured visuals of substantial, ominous vapours emanating from the overly developed Jabalia refugee camp.
Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the IDF, stated that multiple missiles had been fired from Gaza into Israel.
Additionally, three Israeli communities near Gaza, Kibbutz Holit, Sufa, and Nir Yitzhak, reported hearing sirens, according to the IDF.
The truce expired Friday at 7:00 a.m. local time (5:00 a.m. UK time). The IDF declared it remained “prepared” and “willing to continue military operations.”
Hamas freed 79 Israeli hostages over seven days in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
There are presently 140 inmates in Gaza.
Diplomats from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were among the international mediators attempting to prolong the temporary ceasefire.
Since most women and children had been released, hostage negotiations were becoming harder.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Mr. Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials on Thursday. During the meeting, Blinken conveyed optimism regarding the potential extension of the ceasefire.
If Israel resumed the conflict, it must do so in “compliance with international humanitarian law” and with “a clear plan in place” to safeguard civilians, according to Mr. Blinken.
Israel has declared its intention to destroy Hamas, the governing organisation of Gaza, in retaliation for the group’s alleged October 7th rampage, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israeli citizens and the hostages of 240.
The Hamas-run health ministry estimates that more than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza, with approximately two-thirds of those slain being children and women.
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