Israeli Bombs Hit Gaza Strip After Truce Expires
On Friday morning, Israeli bombs hit the Gaza Strip as the week-long truce with Hamas came to an end and Israeli forces accused the Palestinian militant group of violating the terms of their agreement. The situation escalated quickly, leading to renewed combat between the two sides.
Hamas Violates Truce
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the situation escalated after sirens went off in communities near Gaza, and the IDF Aerial Defense Array intercepted a launch from Gaza. One hour later, the IDF announced that “Hamas violated the operational pause and fired towards Israeli territory,” prompting the IDF to resume combat against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.
Expired Truce and Negotiations
The truce, which was scheduled to expire at 7 a.m. local time on Friday, had originally been intended to last four days but was extended for an additional three days while Qatari and Egyptian negotiators tried to advance the peace talks. During the truce period, there were negotiations that led to the release of 110 hostages taken by Hamas into Gaza on Oct. 7. Among those released were 78 Israeli and dual-nationals, including women and children, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. The exchange was based on the terms of three Palestinian prisoners being released for every one Israeli hostage.
Backstory of the Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7 and has been the deadliest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with over 14,500 people killed in the besieged Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities. The Israeli offensive, which involved both air and ground forces, was launched in retaliation for a terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of around 240 others into Gaza. Israel estimates that about 150 hostages remain in Gaza.
The conflict has been ongoing, with sporadic truces and escalations, and the recent events have added to the complexity and tension within the region. As the situation continues to unfold, both sides are facing challenges and obstacles in their pursuit of a lasting resolution.
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