ISRAEL RESUMES COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST HAMAS IN GAZA
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammed Salem, and Roleen Tafakji
December 1, 2023
Heavy fighting broke out in Gaza on Friday as Israel’s military announced the resumption of combat operations against Hamas. This came after the Palestinian militant group was accused of violating a temporary truce by launching rockets toward Israeli territory.
The seven-day truce, which began on November 24 and was extended twice, allowed for the exchange of dozens of hostages held in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the devastated coastal strip.
However, just before the truce was set to end, Israel intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza. Minutes before the deadline, further sirens warning of rockets sounded in Israeli areas near Gaza, according to the military. Hamas has not claimed responsibility for the launches.
Following the expiration of the truce, Palestinian media reported Israeli air and artillery strikes across the enclave, including in Rafah near the border with Egypt. The Israel military confirmed its jets were striking Hamas targets in Gaza, with images on social media showing large plumes of dark smoke rising over the densely built-up Jabalia camp in Gaza.
The temporary truce had allowed for the safe return of hostages, including women and children, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners. Among those released were a Mexican-Israeli dual national, a French-Israeli dual national, and Bedouin Arab citizens of Israel.
In the midst of the fighting, efforts were made by Qatar and Egypt to extend the truce following the exchange of hostages and prisoners. However, the truce ultimately expired, leading to a resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Israel during the ongoing conflict, emphasized the imperative of protecting civilian lives. He underscored that Israel cannot repeat in south Gaza the massive civilian casualties and displacement of residents it inflicted in the north and urged the Israeli government to agree to concrete measures to protect critical infrastructure and designate safe zones.
Efforts to maintain peace in the region remain precarious, with both sides facing challenges in sustaining the truce. The recent resumption of combat operations underscores the continued volatility of the situation in Gaza.
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The authors, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammed Salem, and Roleen Tafakji, are Reuters correspondents covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and related humanitarian issues. Their extensive coverage and on-the-ground reporting provide a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing situation in the region.