Israeli fighter jets carried out immediate strikes on the Gaza Strip just minutes after a seven-day ceasefire had expired on Friday, sparking a renewed conflict with Hamas. Clouds of black smoke were seen rising from the besieged region, and leaflets were dropped by Israel over parts of southern Gaza, indicating a potential expansion of military operations. Hostage concerns surged after approximately 140 individuals remained captive in Gaza, with negotiators from both sides attempting to reach an agreement to restart the ceasefire. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the “humanitarian catastrophe” and mentioned that the escalation complicated mediation efforts. These events unfolded even after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had pressured Israeli officials to protect Palestinian civilians.
With renewed hostilities becoming increasingly complicated, Israel’s launch of airstrikes on Hamas-occupied Gaza led to 32 casualties and dozens of wounded individuals within hours. Leaflets distributed by Israel urged people to evacuate homes east of the city of Khan Younis, now classified as a “dangerous battle zone.” The Israeli military also released a map to assist with potential evacuation efforts. The airstrikes continued and were followed by Hamas’ renewed rocket attacks toward Israeli communities near Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his commitment to the offensive’s goals of securing the release of hostages, eliminating Hamas, and ensuring Gaza can never again pose a threat to Israel’s residents.
In response, numerous airstrikes in Gaza destroyed homes and buildings. Israel claimed it was targeting Hamas operatives, but civilian casualties persisted. Consequently, fears of potentially heavy civilian casualties grew as a result of the Israeli offensive. Netanyahu held Hamas accountable, reiterating that the war resumed because Hamas had violated the terms of the truce. The Egyptian and Qatari mediators had sought to extend the ceasefire but faced hurdles as Hamas demanded a steep price, especially for the remaining hostages – including Israeli soldiers.
After negotiations on extending the truce fell through, renewed airstrikes and rocket attacks ensued, perpetuating the conflict in Gaza. The resulting human tragedy prompted prominent international figures to stress the need for compliance with international humanitarian law and protection of civilians. As the conflict rages on, the toll on civilians continues to grow, with uncertain prospects for peace on the horizon.
