Fighting resumed in Gaza on Friday immediately after the expiry of a week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
A heavy cloud of grey smoke was seen rolling over northern Gaza, along with apparent sounds of automatic weapons fire and explosions within the first 90 minutes after the ceasefire expired at 0500 GMT.
Israel’s military said fighter jets were “currently striking” Hamas targets in Gaza, and AFP journalists reported air strikes in the north and south of the territory.
A source close to Hamas told AFP the terror group’s armed wing had received “the order to resume combat” and to “defend the Gaza Strip,” with heavy fighting reported in parts of Gaza City.
Combat resumed shortly after Israel’s army said it had intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said fighting had restarted after Hamas violated the truce.
“Upon the resumption of fighting, we emphasise: The Government of Israel is committed to achieving the goals of the war: Releasing the hostages, eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to the residents of Israel,” it said in a statement.
Sirens warning of potential missile fire sounded around several communities near Gaza in the hour after the fighting resumed, and Israeli authorities said they were restarting security measures in the area including closing schools.
Talks ‘ongoing’
Despite the resumption of fighting, talks between Qatari and Egyptian mediators were “ongoing,” said a source briefed on the talks.
During the seven-day ceasefire, dozens of hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
On Thursday, U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken, meeting Israeli and Palestinian officials, called for the pause in hostilities to be extended. Other world leaders had also sought an extended pause, despite fears an extended pause would allow the terrorists to regroup.
The ceasefire had paused fighting that began on October 7 when Hamas terrorists committed the worst pogrom since the Holocaust.
The unprecedented attack killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the terror group kidnapped about 240, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas in response and unleashed an air and ground military campaign in Gaza.
During the ceasefire brokered by Qatar with support from Egypt and the United States, 80 Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
