Israeli Military Resumes Combat Operations in Gaza Strip as Truce Efforts Fail
Heavy fighting has erupted once again across the Gaza Strip as the Israeli military resumed combat operations against Hamas after efforts to extend the truce failed. The resumption of hostilities came at about 7 am local time on Friday as the deadline for the end of the week-long pause passed.
Israeli air strikes have been reported across the enclave, including the previously presumed safe area for fleeing civilians in the south. Gaza’s health ministry reported dozens of Palestinians killed and injured during the initial resumption of Israeli strikes.
Reports of rockets and gunfire emerged in the hour before the temporary truce expired, with Israel accusing Hamas of violating the agreement. Efforts to extend the pause had been ongoing, with talks between Qatari and Egyptian mediators continuing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hamas did not agree to release further hostages, infringing the terms of the truce. Hamas has yet to respond.
There are now reports of heavy gunfire and Israeli shelling in the north, central, and southern parts of Gaza. Aircraft and drones could be heard overhead, with residential buildings destroyed and casualties reported. Israeli forces have also been dropping leaflets warning civilians to evacuate southwards towards Rafah, on the border with Egypt.
The seven-day pause in fighting, which began on November 24 and was extended twice, had allowed for the exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners and facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave. However, supplies of food, water, medicine, and fuel remain insufficient for Gaza’s 2.3 million people.
The resumption of fighting has once again plunged the Gaza Strip into chaos and uncertainty, with the ongoing conflict taking a heavy toll on the civilian population.