1-12-2023 (GAZA) The Israeli military announced on Friday (December 1) that it had recommenced its attacks on the Gaza Strip, with reports from Palestinian media indicating that northern Gaza had been targeted.
According to Reuters, Israel claimed that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, had breached the terms of the ceasefire agreement by initiating fire against Israel.
Approximately an hour before the temporary ceasefire came to an end, the Israeli military revealed that an Israeli missile defense system had intercepted a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas violated the operational pause, and in addition, fired toward Israeli territory.
The IDF has resumed combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/gVRpctD79R
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 1, 2023
In addition, just minutes prior to the ceasefire deadline, rocket sirens sounded once again in Israeli areas close to Gaza.
Hamas has yet to issue a comment and has not taken responsibility for the rocket launches. However, an AFP source close to Hamas previously stated that the group was willing to extend the truce. Qatar and Egypt have been actively engaged in efforts to prolong the ceasefire.
As part of the ongoing Gaza crisis mediation, Qatar confirmed that Hamas had released eight Israeli hostages on the seventh day of the ceasefire. Among those released were two minors and six women, including individuals with dual nationality from Uruguay, Mexico, and Russia, as reported by Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari on Friday, according to AFP.
The temporary ceasefire, initially implemented on November 24, had been extended twice, providing an opportunity for the exchange of hostages and prisoners between the conflicting parties, as well as facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
