Israel has relaunched airstrikes on Gaza following the ceasefire expiration, killing at least 70 Palestinians. In response, the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, swiftly launched a barrage of rockets at southern Israeli cities, including Ashkelon, Sderot, and Beersheba.
This exchange of hostilities marks a distressing setback after a brief period of relative calm.
UNICEF’s global spokesperson, James Elder, expressed concern about the impact of the renewed Israeli bombing on children in Gaza. He noted a return of fear and trauma among the young population.
Israeli authorities have arrested at least 12 Palestinains in various cities across the occupied West Bank, bringing the total detainees since 7 October to 3,400.
International mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, advocated for extending the truce, which expired at 7 a.m. local time. Their efforts proved futile, leading to the resumption of hostilities.
Ashraf al-Qudra, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, described overcrowded facilities and a surge in wounded patients.
The United States has announced plans to impose visa bans on Israeli settlers engaged in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Israeli officials of the impending visa bans during his visit.
Retired Turkish colonel Yusuf Alabarda highlighted the cost of the war for Israel. Alabarda suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s pursuit of political goals overshadows national objectives, contributing to the ongoing conflict.
Alabarda argued that the conflict’s root issues must be addressed to ensure long-term security for Israelis. He asserted that Hamas is a consequence, not the cause, of the conflict.
Hamas senior official Osama Hamdan accused Israel of undermining efforts to extend the truce. He alleged that the Israeli rejection of proposed options led to the breakdown of negotiations.
Israel has killed more than 15,000 Palestinians, including 6,150 children, in Gaza and over 242, including 57 children , in the occupied West Bank since 7 October. The Israeli strikes have also injured over 36,000 Palestinians, mostly children, in Gaza, with 6,800 missing and believed to be buried under the rubble. In addition, more than 2,750 Palestinians are injured in Israeli raids in West Bank. 1,200 Israelis died during the attacks carried out by Hamas fighters on 7 October, with injuries to 5,600 people.