The temporary truce between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militants concluded at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday, with no agreement to extend. In the hour preceding its end, Israel intercepted a rocket from Gaza, and reports of explosions and gunfire in the Palestinian enclave surfaced. The initial seven-day pause, beginning on Nov. 24 and extended twice, facilitated hostage exchanges and allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip immediately after the weeklong truce lapsed, marking a full-scale resumption of hostilities. Airstrikes hit southern Gaza, including Abassan and northwest of Gaza City, as loud explosions and black smoke emanated from the territory. Sirens in Israel signaled incoming rocket fire, suggesting Hamas had resumed attacks. The Israeli military announced strikes 30 minutes after the ceasefire’s expiration at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday.
Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire terms by firing rockets from Gaza earlier on Friday. The halt, initiated on Nov. 24 for four days and extended with Qatar and Egypt’s assistance, saw over 100 hostages released by Hamas in exchange for 240 Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons.
Challenges arose in reaching an extension deal due to the limited remaining hostages in Gaza. Qatar and Egypt, key mediators, unsuccessfully sought a two-day truce extension.
Israel faced calls from the U.S. to better protect Palestinian civilians during resumed strikes against Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing compliance with international humanitarian law and the need for a clear plan to protect civilians if the war resumed. Israel pledged to maintain the truce until Hamas stopped releasing captives, vowing to crush Hamas with precision.
Eighty-three Israelis, including dual nationals, were freed during the truce, while 24 hostages, including 23 Thais and one Filipino, were released.
