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Israel started military operations against Hamas in Gaza on Friday, accusing the militant group of breaking the ceasefire agreement by firing at Israel, thereby ending the seven-day ceasefire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on X that “Hamas violated the operational pause and fired toward Israeli territory.” The IDF has begun military operations in Gaza against the terrorist organization Hamas.”
The cease-fire, which was only prolonged at the last minute for the seventh day on Thursday, was set to expire again on Friday at around 7 a.m. local time (around 10.30 a.m. IST).
The extension on Thursday was the second of a four-day truce that began on November 24.
On Tuesday, it was extended for two more days.
240 Palestinians, 86 Israelis, and 24 international nationals have reportedly been released since the pause began.
Shortly before the seven-day truce expired, Israel said it shot down a missile fired from Gaza, while Hamas-affiliated media sites reported explosions and gunfire in northern Gaza, according to the BBC.
Several air raids have struck the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run interior and national security ministry’s Telegram account.
In a statement, the Ministry also stated that Israeli aircraft were flying over the area.
According to Egypt’s State Information Service, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators have been pushing to extend the cease-fire in Gaza for another two days in order to facilitate the release of more hostages and inmates and to allow more aid into the strip.
Israeli officials have frequently said that any renewal of the cease-fire must include Hamas releasing 10 Israeli women and children held prisoner per day.
According to the conditions of the agreement, Israel released three Palestinians for every Israeli hostage released.
Both Israel and Hamas hinted on Thursday that they were ready for violence to begin.
“We should be prepared for a quick transition into full scale fighting at any point, today, tomorrow, at any moment. As soon as we maximise the move to return hostages we will resume fierce fighting across the whole Gaza Strip,” CNN quoted Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as saying on Thursday.
The military wing of Hamas has also instructed its forces to maintain a high level of war readiness.
Source:IANS
