Israel accuses Hamas of violating truce, resumes air strikes in Gaza

Fresh fighting has broken out across Gaza as Israel Defence Forces (IDF) resume combat operations against Hamas.

 

This essentially signals the end of the truce with the Palestinian militant group.

 

The truce, which lasted for a week, paved the way for hostages from both sides to be freed, and allowed for more humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave.

 

Israel had also hinted that the truce, which was originally supposed to last for four days, could be extended provided Hamas releases an additional 10 hostages for an extra day of pause in fighting.

 

In fulfillment of the clause, two days were added to the ceasefire, leading to the release of 80 Israelis — primarily women and children — and another 24 foreign nationals from Gaza.

 

Another Israeli dual citizen was freed outside of the deal.

 

As of Thursday, 240 Palestinians had been freed from Israeli prisons — also, mainly women and minors.

 

However, on Friday morning, the IDF declared it was once again “out to destroy” the terrorists.

 

IDF said Hamas violated the operational pause and fired toward Israeli territory, adding that the IDF aerial defense array successfully intercepted a launch from Gaza following the truce’ violation.

 

Hamas blamed the United States and the international community for the resumption of fighting in Gaza.